AmerisourceBergen to acquire World Courier Group

Published: 7-Mar-2012

Will provide springboard for expansion outside the US


AmerisourceBergen has agreed to buy logistics company World Courier Group for US$520m, providing a springboard for expansion outside the US.

The deal is subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close by 30 June.

World Courier, a privately owned provider of transportation, storage and distribution services for multinational biopharmaceutical clinical trials as well as other markets, is based in Stamford, Connecticut in the US and will become a new operating segment within AmerisourceBergen.

World Courier’s biopharmaceutical clinical trials logistics, investigational drug storage and distribution services use an integrated GxP-compliant global network and dedicated, locally based associates to help drive reliability and customer service in well-established and emerging markets.

The firm’s annual revenues are expected to reach around US$500m this year. It has more than 137 offices, 13 GMP-compliant storage depots, and 2,500 employees in 52 countries.

‘The acquisition of World Courier adds a new premium specialist service to our existing portfolio of market leading pharmaceutical manufacturer services, and provides an established platform for the introduction of our specialist services outside North America,’ said Steven Collis, Valley Forge, PA-based AmerisourceBergen’s president and chief executive.

World Courier’s president, Wayne Heyland, will continue in this role, reporting to Collis.

He said: ‘Our shared values and similar cultures will ensure the smooth integration of our premium services, which will help both of our organisations take advantage of the tremendous growth opportunities that lie ahead, particularly in international markets. We are very excited to become an integral part of the largest specialist distribution and services provider in the world.’

Relevant companies

You may also like