Bayer Middle East FZE has announced the launch of its regional distribution centre in Dubai, UAE that will reduce time-to-market by as much as 58 percent.

The centre will facilitate the delivery of more than 3,400 tons annually, while ensuring greater network flexibility, increased frequency and dedicated stock for customers in the Middle East.

Supporting network optimization and streamlining supply, the warehouse is located in the Jebel Ali Free zone, close to the Jebel Ali Sea Port with easy connections to Al Maktoum International (DWC) and Dubai International (DXB) airports and major road arteries.

Equipped with the latest warehousing and cold chain technologies, the facility operated by Agility, one of the world's leading logistics companies, is spread over 60,000 m² with multiple storage temperature options.

Accommodating over 100,000 pallet positions, 56 loading docks and 83 material handling equipment, the centre is fully compliant with Ministry of Health, EU Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice and World Health Organization standards.

Thomas Panzer, SVP - Head Supply Chain Management Pharmaceuticals at Bayer AG said: “Customer focus is among Bayer’s core values and is embedded deeply in our overall supply chain strategy. With a presence in the Middle East for more than 85 years, we have been providing important healthcare and crop protection products to customers in the region. Within the last decade we have successfully launched various innovative products that advance the unmet health and nutritional needs of the region, which as the next step required us to invest in logistics infrastructure to ensure greater flexibility and reduce lead times.”

Henrik Wulff, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East & Head of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Middle East added: “Advancing health and nutrition remains a priority for us. We want to ensure increased and closer product availability especially amidst COVID-19 through this centre.  Benefitting from Dubai’s strategic geographic location and logistics infrastructure and Agility’s experience, scale, operational capability and regional track record, the Centre improves our distribution model in the Middle East and optimizes our last mile processes.”

Integrating fully with Agility’s warehouse management systems, Bayer will maintain visibility and traceability of inventory employing the latest technologies. The centre will be supported by another facility that will be implemented in Germany in mid-2021 as part of Bayer’s long-term commitment to Middle East customers.

Albert Asool, CEO, Agility Dubai said: “Through this partnership we aim to support Bayer with world-class warehousing that incorporates multiple temperature-zone storage and cold-chain solutions. Our strategically positioned regional logistics hub, pharma supply chain expertise and distribution network incorporate a comprehensive suite of services, technologies and tools that provide visibility and traceability down to the unit level.”

The centre is a key milestone for Bayer Middle East which as a legal entity was established in 2012 in the United Arab Emirates to cater the business of its leading divisions, Bayer Pharma, Bayer Consumer Health and Bayer Crop Science in the region including GCC countries and Egypt. Prior to the launch of the centre, Bayer products were previously being directly imported into the local markets and sold to pharmacies, end consumers and patients through a distributor network. – TradeArabia News Service