In a bit to provide a stronger healthcare logistics presence in the UK, two UPS subsidiaries – Marken and Polar Speed – are to work closely to make it happen. The two companies provide pharmacy and cold chain transport services.

This move for Polar Speed means, as UPS says, that its fleet of 150 actively monitored temperature-controlled vehicles for transporting products in accordance with the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines would be enhanced. The fleet is fitted with a range of technology, including on-board temperature recorders and alarms to alert drivers of potential temperature excursions.

In addition, PolarTrack, an online portal linked to a satellite navigation system, enables customers to access real-time delivery status and temperature conditions of their products.

“Polar Speed and Marken will bring value to its customers by leveraging each other’s knowledge of the healthcare industry in the UK. Polar Speed’s reputation for high quality temperature-controlled transportation and pharmacy services and Marken’s reputation for high quality clinical trial services will form a strong presence for UPS. Together, the two companies will work with each other to offer a full complement of services to the UK healthcare industry,” said Wes Wheeler, chief executive, Marken.

Along with its extensive warehouse and transport services, Polar Speed provides automated order to cash services to over 14,000 pharmacies and direct to patient homecare services throughout the UK from its licensed pharmacy locations.