Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Press releases are provided by companies as is and have not been edited or checked for accuracy. Any queries should be directed to the company issuing the release.

DB Schenker transports filling line to build up vaccine capacities against the pandemic

• Antonov charter flight from Germany to the US • 82 tons of pharmaceutical equipment to set up a vaccine production line • Vaccine production aimed to support several countries

Essen/Frankfurt/Chicago, April 13, 2021 – Special air freight charter to overcome the pandemic: On behalf of US-based healthcare company Nexus Pharmaceuticals, DB Schenker transported equipment for a vaccine filling line this week. With a total volume of 82 tons, it was necessary to charter an Antonov An-124 aircraft for the flight from Frankfurt-Hahn in Germany to Chicago-Rockford in the US. The transported material comprised of a vaccine filling machine with isolator from the German specialized engineering companies Bausch + Stroebel and Franz Ziel. Once the production line is operational, it has the capability to produce up to 30 million doses of vaccines per month. The design and fabrication of the machine already began years before the pandemic.

Thorsten Meincke, Member of the Management Board for Air and Ocean Freight at DB Schenker: “With our expertise in intercontinental transports, we want to support the global fight against the pandemic by building up vaccine production capacities where possible. More than ever, logistics truly matters. We are proud to be able to realize short-term air freight solutions for our customers even in times of limited market capacities.”


John Cook, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations of Nexus Pharmaceuticals: “Nexus Pharmaceuticals is keenly aware of the need for an increase in global vaccine production capabilities and as such has aggressively taken steps to address the situation. The filling line and associated isolator represent critical pieces and their arrival is the culmination of Nexus’ commitment to addressing medical needs during the pandemic. Nexus’ investment with DB Schenker’s tremendous support was instrumental in the fast-tracking of the commissioning of our state-of-the-art sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.”

Bausch + Stroebel is a German specialist in machines for pharmaceutical packaging. Ahead of the break-out of the pandemic, the company already started to develop and build the now transported production line for the filling of sterile pharmaceutical products into vials. Franz Ziel created a tailor-made isolator to realize a truly aseptic environment for the processing of sterile pharmaceutical products.

From the two companies’ locations in Ilshofen and Billerbeck, DB Schenker transported the equipment to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport from where an Antonov An-124 charter flight carried 67 tons to Chicago-Rockford. The cargo was split into 20 boxes: The largest container possessed a length of 8.5 meters and 8.3 tons in chargeable weight. As even the Antonov’s capacities were not sufficient, another 15 tons were transported on DB Schenker’s weekly scheduled charter flight from Munich to Rockford.

After the arrival of both flights in the US, DB Schenker forwarded the entire cargo to Pleasant Prairie in Wisconsin where Nexus Pharmaceuticals will use the vaccine filling line with its surrounding isolator in a state-of-the-art sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Depending on the type of vaccine, the machine is capable to produce up to 30 million doses monthly which could help to alleviate production bottlenecks to overcome the pandemic. The vaccines filled by the machine could be distributed both in the US and internationally. Subsequently, the line will be used for filling Nexus Pharmaceuticals’ extensive portfolio of specialty and generic injectable products into vials.

An Antonov An-124 has a length of almost 70 meters. With a total shipment volume of 400 cubic meters, DB Schenker’s decision to utilize the four-engined airlift was based on the size of the cargo rather than its weight.

Jennifer Gabriel, Head of Air Freight Branch Ilsfeld at DB Schenker in Germany, supervised the special charter flight’s loading procedure on April 10: “The complexity of this project was to coordinate several stakeholders and transport solutions involved. It feels great to be part of such a well-orchestrated example of life-saving logistics.”

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Qk5m1PbLHlowTskrEkbqWaXjfDVEcdqF?usp=sharing

Recent

More Stories

rendering of Penske solar-powered facility
Penske Truck Leasing

Penske Truck Leasing lights up new solar-powered facility initiative

Reading, Pa. – Nov. 18, 2024 - Penske Truck Leasing is lighting up a new solar-powered initiative seeking to boost efficiency, minimize energy costs, and reduce emissions initially at select truck leasing, truck rental, and truck maintenance locations in the U.S. with the installation and activation of its first-ever rooftop solar-powered systems.

The company’s new state-of-the-art facility in Channahon, Illinois, is now fully operational, and is predominantly powered by an onsite photovoltaic (PV) solar system, expected to generate roughly 80% of the building’s energy needs at 200 KW capacity. Any remaining required energy will be supplied by the local utility provider.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Integrated Systems Design
Integrated Systems Design
Integrated Systems Design

Integrated Systems Design joins MHI’s Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems Group

WIXOM, MI, October 14, 2024 - Integrated Systems Design (ISD), a leading provider of innovative material handling solutions, announced today that it has joined MHI's Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) product section group. This strategic move reinforces ISD's commitment to advancing automation technologies to its manufacturing and warehouse customers improving their warehouse, logistics, and supply chain systems.

MHI, the nation's largest material handling, logistics, and supply chain association, welcomes ISD to its AS/RS group, which focuses on promoting the development and implementation of automated storage and retrieval systems across various industries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wabash partners with University of Delaware to advance solar Solutions in commercial transportation

Wabash partners with University of Delaware to advance solar Solutions in commercial transportation

LAFAYETTE, Ind., Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash (NYSE: WNC), the visionary leader of connected solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries, announced today it was selected to receive a $1.6 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to support a research and development project aimed at decarbonizing the commercial transportation industry.

The three-year project, set to begin next year in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials, focuses on integrating high-efficiency solar energy into refrigerated trailers and truck bodies. This innovation will play a pivotal role in making zero-emission mid-mile transportation a commercially viable option.

Keep ReadingShow less
NobleLift

Noblelift 2024 Dealer Meeting

NOBLELIFT® North America Hosts its 2024 Dealer Meeting

Des Plaines , Illinois – NOBLELIFT North America, a global leader in Lithium-iron technology and a manufacturer of a comprehensive range of high-performance, low-maintenance manual, electric, and internal combustion material handling equipment, hosted its 2024 Dealer Meeting at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont, Illinois, just miles from their Illinois headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Over ninety participated in this year’s bi-annual dealer meeting which lasted two days. Day one of the program included presentations and training on various subjects such as NOBLELIFT new products, NOBLELIFT lithium-iron technology, future plans, leasing/financing, marketing, aftersales tech support, parts, extended warranties, quoting software, and more. The dealers welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the company, share their feedback and ideas, and network with other dealers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Randa Apparel & Accessories selects FORTNA to modernize 
Dallas-Fort Worth warehouse

Randa Apparel & Accessories selects FORTNA to modernize Dallas-Fort Worth warehouse

ATLANTA (Oct. 8, 2024) – Randa Apparel & Accessories (RAA), one of the world's leading fashion apparel and lifestyle accessories companies, today announced a strategic partnership with FORTNA, the leading automation and software company for the full logistics value chain, to modernize their recently acquired Dallas-Fort Worth 625,000 square foot warehouse. This collaboration aims to modernize the facility to meet contemporary demands, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity.

RAA, known for its portfolio of over 40 licensed brands and the recent acquisition of the Haggar brand, acquired the Dallas-Fort Worth facility as part of the deal. Faced with the decision to either move out of or upgrade the facility, RAA engaged with FORTNA to develop a comprehensive solution to keep operations local while addressing real estate constraints.

Keep ReadingShow less