Nick Rimac from Sigma Healthcare Logistics spoke to MHD about the company’s history, its role in the pharmaceutical space, its state-of-the-art DCs, and bespoke solutions.
The landscape of healthcare logistics is evolving rapidly, driven by the imperative to enhance patient outcomes and access while also ensuring sustainability and resilience.
Traditionally, healthcare logistics focused primarily on delivering products efficiently. However, there’s a significant shift towards a patient-centric model with supply chains being designed and optimised to ensure timely access to the right products and services improving patients’ overall experience and outcomes.
Environmental focus is increasingly becoming a priority across industries, including healthcare. Organisations are under pressure to minimise their carbon footprint and adopt eco-friendly practices including reducing waste, using renewable energy sources, and implementing efficient transportation and logistics strategies to lower emissions.
Sigma’s Contract Logistics (3PL & 4PL) division has been operating for over 10 years and is part of the Sigma Healthcare group. Sigma Healthcare provides cost-effective 3PL/4PL logistics solutions, allowing partners and clients to focus on their core business activities.
Healthcare products, including temperature-sensitive products, demand highly specialised climate and temperature control, sophisticated monitoring and experienced operations through the entire supply chain.
Offering 3PL and 4PL services
Sigma’s approach offers a flexible and practical solution to unlock operational and commercial benefits under a fit-for-purpose model, employing proven transition and operational know-how. Importantly, the approach leverages the knowledge Sigma has gained across its experience in healthcare.
When combined with a strong culture of continuous improvement, this integrated management approach can contribute to cost and service benefits across all warehousing functions.
Sigma Healthcare Logistics utilises its network of national state-of-the-art facilities. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 Medical Devices accredited and is now working towards GMP accreditation.
Sigma Healthcare Logistics’ value proposition in many ways supports supplier market requirements through high levels of service, acting as a differentiator in a highly competitive marketplace, where the smallest advantage can set you apart from your competitors.
Key competencies and capabilities include:
• National footprint of temperature-controlled healthcare facilities
• Quality Management Systems – ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 13485 Medical Devices
• Schedule 8 storage capability – controlled drugs (GHIV)
• Temperature-controlled facilities including cold chain
• Visibility and Reporting
• GWP/GDP compliance
• Temperature monitoring capability throughout the supply chain
• WMS / EDI integration
• Order to Cash
Energy efficient initiatives
Sigma places a high priority on ensuring their assets are well managed and are operated in an energy-efficient manner and supports a collaborative, innovative and cost-effective approach towards the management of our most material environmental issues including waste, energy and emissions.
Sigma offers 3PL/4PL solutions at six of their state-of-the-art warehouses which were all built within the last seven years.
As part of Sigma’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, the Group has undertaken several initiatives:
• Installation of roof-mounted solar power systems (total capacity of 1,500kW across 5 sites)
• Solar hot water systems
• LED lighting with motion detectors
• Timer switches
• Water Tanks
• Cooling controlled by environmental monitoring system
Bespoke solution to solve clients’ challenges:
“We have the scale and expertise and we’re agile enough to offer bespoke, flexible, fit-for-purpose solutions to each of our clients”, says Nick Rimac, National 3PL/4PL Business Development Manager, Sigma Healthcare Logistics. “This is where Sigma excels.”
Key aspects include:
• Synergies of single approach across all operations within the supply chain
• Delivery of a structured and disciplined performance management framework
• Full Account Management suite of services
• Leveraging Sigma Healthcare’s experience and capabilities
• Offer a flexible commercial model to drive outcomes
• Highly focused on people and safety
• Open and transparent partnership
• WMS / EDI integration
• Cybersecurity Program
Healthcare logistics has become an increasingly challenging environment with evolving regulatory complexity, cost challenges and unexpected disruptions.
Overall, the transformation of healthcare supply chains towards patient-centric, sustainable, and resilient models is essential for addressing the evolving needs and challenges of the healthcare industry while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and ethical responsibility.
At Sigma, our approach revolves around close collaboration with our clients, leveraging standardised processes, automation, and digitalisation to provide dependable and uniform solutions.
By working collaboratively with clients, Sigma ensures that services are tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements effectively. Standardised processes streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and maintain consistency ensuring reliable outcomes every time.
Automation and digitalisation further optimise workflows, reduce manual errors, improve accuracy, and accelerate delivery times. Through these concerted efforts, clients are empowered with solutions that they can trust, fostering long-term partnerships built on reliability, innovation, and mutual success.
For more information on Sigma Healthcare Logistics, click here.