FedEx Korea CEO aims sales expansion, double-digit growth

Package delivery companies are essential players in the healthcare industry because not a single country can cover all the necessary and novel drugs only with local productions.

The delivery of pharmaceutical products is becoming more important as companies are rushing to develop highly-priced biological drugs and vaccines.

Korean drugmakers are also showing a keen interest in delivering their drugs, as they are seeking global sales channels to sell their drugs overseas.

Korea Biomedical Review has recently met Chae Eun-mi, country managing director of FedEx Korea, and looked into the latest trends in international deliveries of pharmaceutical goods.

Adding to temperature-controlled packages such as cryogenic delivery solutions and cold-shipping packages, and global returns, FedEx Korea is seeking to expand its influence on the healthcare industry with the latest service called “SenseAware.”

Combined with a multisensory device and online application, SenseAware is a next-generation service that gives customers continued access to their shipment. Using the service, customers can check real-time information about the shipment such as its location, exact temperature, relative humidity, light exposure, and any impact.

Chae Eun-mi, country managing director of FedEx Korea, says the firm aims at a double-digit growth with a focus on the healthcare sector, in an interview with Korea Biomedical Review.

Question: How does FedEx see the Korean healthcare industry?

Answer: Korea is Asia’s third-largest pharmaceutical market and leader in the biotech sector. Local drugmakers’ combined revenues are expected to exceed $18.3 billion in 2020. Also, the government, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, aims to expand annual drug exports to 20 trillion won ($18.6 billion) and secure 17 global pharmaceutical products by 2020.

The advancement of logistics technology will accelerate exports of Korean healthcare products, and the rise in the demand of healthcare will lead to a growth of the logistics industry.

FedEx is a logistics expert and the world’s largest express carrier. We offer win-win services for healthcare industry partners such as drugmakers.

Q: Can you tell us about FedEx Korea’s healthcare solutions?

A: FedEx provides solutions that deliver a wide range of temperature-controlled and pressure-sensitive packages. We can safely and quickly transport shipments in customized temperatures from room temperature to minus 150 degrees Celsius.

Our innovative healthcare express service SenseAware combines a device attached to a shipment and Web-based platforms.

According to FedEx data, 67 percent of pharmaceutical clients require Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). We designed our Quality Management System (QMS), particularly for healthcare clients, which is suitable for all regulatory compliance.

Q: Can you tell us more about SenseAway?

A: FedEx initially developed it with the company’s technology, and further advanced it through cooperation with various companies. SenseAway has multiple sensors that give six environmental information real-time during delivery. They are current location, accurate temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, light exposure, and impact. This is the first of its kind in the logistics industry. Customers can also check such information.

Q: What does “cold chain” do in the drug delivery industry?

A: FedEx believes that temperature-controlled delivery is a key factor that logistics firms should have in the healthcare industry. FedEx provides solutions to safely and quickly deliver products that are sensitive to temperature and pressure, such as drugs, research samples, and medical supplies. Our services can keep the temperature of shipments unchanged, whether it is room temperature or cryogenic temperature that goes below 150 degrees Celsius.

Q: What is your goal in the Korean market?

A: FedEx ranks high among the world’s most respected companies. We believe if we value employees and provide employee-satisfied service, it would eventually satisfy customers. We want to grow into a business that satisfies employees and customers.

FedEx Korea plans to put more focus on the healthcare sector. We aim to achieve double-digit annual growth. We used to concentrate on Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and we will strengthen sales and expand the service across the country, too. Our station in North Chungcheong Province will help us become a good partner for Osong-based biotech firms.

If there is any spot in the healthcare industry that needs FedEx, we will go for it.

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