AIT’s sustainable, all-in-one healthcare logistics solution delivers seamless European clinical trial shipping experience

Published on: Apr 10, 2025

Summary 

When a pharmaceutical company needed logistics support to ship sensitive clinical equipment for trials at destinations across Europe, they turned to the healthcare industry experts at AIT Worldwide Logistics. The team’s end-to-end solution included storage, packing, distribution, and equipment retrieval, as well as value-added services, from customs clearance to procedures that ensured the entire operation met the client’s environmental sustainability goals.  
 

CHALLENGE: European distribution for big, bulky medical-grade equipment 

The customer needed to efficiently store, pack, and deliver heavy clinical equipment, including medical-grade refrigerators, freezers, and centrifuges, to locations across Europe.  

The distribution also needed to be demand-based, with final-mile delivery solutions including careful white glove handling and unpacking of sensitive, specialized equipment.  

Additionally, the customer wanted to be able to track and monitor their shipments in real-time, as well as retrieve equipment post-trial, according to site-specific schedules and sustainable practices. 
 

SOLUTION: End-to-end demand-driven logistics with robust tracking 

AIT established centralized warehouses in Amsterdam and Northampton, United Kingdom, to manage the hundreds of units of clinical equipment.  

The team of healthcare logistics professionals implemented special handling protocols to safeguard the fragile cargo, including upright transportation, anti-shock indicators, and air-ride delivery trucks with liftgates.  

AIT's responsive inventory and order system facilitated demand-based distribution, including alerts for low stock, high demand, or equipment flagged for recollection. And GPS units provided real-time tracking and monitoring of the critical equipment. 

The healthcare shipping experts at AIT also ensured the operations followed waste-reducing disposal practices and optimized shipment packaging to mitigate environmental impact. 

AIT Difference Makers 

• Sustainable practices: Shipment consolidation, responsible packaging disposal, and reusable materials all contributed to broader sustainability targets.
• Demand-driven flexibility: AIT's responsive inventory and order system allowed for immediate updates and on-demand distribution, meeting the varying needs of clinical sites. 
• Final-mile expertise: Each delivery included two trained drivers to ensure careful equipment unpacking and retrieval, as necessary, in adherence to site-specific requirements. 
• High service standards: AIT's meticulous attention to handling and scheduling requirements ensured high customer satisfaction and operational consistency. 

 

RESULT: Minimized costs, improved sustainability  

The operation spanned six months, ensuring high service standards and enhanced sustainability, while meeting the customer’s specific handling and scheduling requirements. 

AIT also minimized warehousing costs with an agile delivery model that ensured timely deliveries.