Cencora expands European 3PL capacity with new Dortmund logistics center
Healthcare logistics demands in Germany are higher than ever, with pharmaceutical companies requiring specialist capabilities, greater automation, and the flexibility to respond to increasing supply chain complexity. Building on Cencora’s recent investments and acquisitions in the German market, the company is expanding its pharmaceutical third-party logistics capacity with a new facility in Dortmund, helping companies meet growing demand and supporting reliable access to medicines across Europe.
The new logistics center will occupy approximately 37,300 square meters within SEGRO Park Dortmund. Construction is nearing completion, with the development planned to become operational in early 2027.
Expanding capacity to support client growth
Pharmaceutical supply chains must accommodate a growing range of products, temperature requirements, and routes to market. As demand changes and new therapies reach commercialization, manufacturers need sufficient capacity and flexibility to manage product launches and expansion into new markets without compromising quality, security, or continuity of supply.
The new state-of-the-art logistics center is being developed to support these needs, adding significant capacity to Cencora’s 3PL network. The facility is designed to support a broad range of product handling requirements, including ambient storage at 15 to 25°C, cold storage at 2 to 8°C, deep frozen storage at -20°C, and cryogenic handling and storage using liquid nitrogen at below -150°C. It will also support handling of narcotics and other controlled substances under Germany’s narcotics framework (Betäubungsmittel - BtMG), further strengthening Cencora’s ability to serve clients with diverse portfolio and distribution needs. Its modern, scalable infrastructure and advanced technologies will enable Cencora to tailor solutions to different product requirements and support clients at different stages of growth.
“Dortmund reflects our long-term commitment to clients in Germany and across the wider region. By combining a high-quality facility with our pharmaceutical logistics expertise, we’ll be able to support their growth while adapting to new products, markets, and supply chain requirements.” said Christian Pieper, Managing Director, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland at Cencora.
The site’s location between Dortmund and Castrop-Rauxel provides access to established transport infrastructure. This connectivity will help Cencora serve clients efficiently across Germany while supporting distribution into other European markets.
Supporting different commercialization needs
Clients using the Dortmund logistics center will be able to draw on Cencora’s integrated pharmaceutical logistics network, which provides storage, distribution, quality assurance, compliance management, and additional supply chain services.
This breadth of support enables Cencora to work with manufacturers and sales organizations in the pharmaceutical industry, from helping smaller pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies prepare for commercialization to delivering efficient execution at scale for established global organizations.
The wider development combines environmental measures with features designed to support employee well-being. SEGRO Park Dortmund incorporates green roofs, solar panels, resource-efficient construction methods, recreational areas for people working at the park, and dedicated rest facilities for drivers. The park is being developed on the 60-hectare site of a former coal-fired power station.
“The products entrusted to us can have a direct impact on patients’ lives, so expanding our infrastructure can reinforce supply chain resilience,” said Tobias Uthmann, Vice President and Regional Managing Director for the UK, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at Cencora. “The new center will give our teams greater flexibility to plan for changing volumes, respond when clients’ needs shift, and maintain the quality and continuity expected throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.”
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Part of a growing global 3PL network
The Dortmund development is the latest in a series of investments in Cencora’s international 3PL network.
In Europe, Cencora has continued to expand, adding five facilities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 2026. It also plans to open a new 3PL facility near Milan, Italy, and is investing in additional capacity across the UK, Spain, and the Czech Republic. Other developments include a dedicated specialty unit equipped with cryogenic technology and ultra-low capacity in the Netherlands and increased refrigerated and frozen storage capacity in France.
In the United States, Cencora is developing a new 3PL center: a highly automated, 500,000-square-foot site in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. Expected to become fully operational in 2028, the facility will significantly expand Cencora’s capacity across controlled room temperature, refrigerated, frozen, ultra-low, and cryogenic storage ranges.
Together, these investments are expanding the reach and specialized capabilities of Cencora’s 3PL network, helping clients manage supply chain complexity, enter new markets, and maintain the reliable supply of their products. Dortmund will add further capacity within Europe, enabling Cencora to respond as client needs evolve and support secure access to medicines.
