Polar Speed work only in the pharmaceutical sector.
Why? Because the distribution requirements of this market can be especially demanding, and are often well beyond the capabilities of traditional transport and distribution organisations.
The simple truth is that temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals require specific and completely uncompromising supply chain support.
And that’s why Polar Speed exists.
Simon Veale of Global Freight Solutions said that ‘on-line shopping grew by a massive 30% this Christmas.
Polar Speed’s ever expanding fleet of multi temperature transit type vans are fast becoming the answer to the UK’s pharmaceutical industry logistics needs.
Solomon is the leading UK manufacturer of temperature controlled ridgids, specialising in the field for over 30 years. The company says its fresh approach is ‘raising the bar’ in payload, durability and thermal efficiency. Solomon converts Polar Speed vans in 80 mm high density installation as standard, offering thermal efficiency, easing the workload of the vehicle- mounted refrigeration unit (professionally fitted by Marshall Thermo King) and saving fuel.
Polar Speed are committed to quality solutions at every touchpoint of their business and partnering with companies such as Solomon and Marshall Thermo King provides the business with total confidence that it is able to offer clients a ‘best in class’ thermologistics response.
Although Polar Speed traditionally utilised the services of more that one vehicle body builders, it has decided that Solomon is the most consistent in quality and efficiency and they now enjoy sole supplier status.
Says Polar Speed Director Brian McKay ‘Solomon already supply companies such as J Sainsbury’s, Tesco and the Co-operative Group and they have partnered us in finding quality solutions in the ever changing temperature controlled market’.
New contracts especially for home delivery in the Solent area have facilitated the opening of a new Polar Speed Depot targeting. Hampshire, Dorset and The Isle of Wight. Being close to our customers is important in ensuring fast, efficient and ‘on the doorstep’ service.
Read more about our nationwide coverage and locations »
Polar Speed is fast becoming a leading light in the delivery of medicines directly to the home. This important direct to home service supports an ever increasing range of therapies, including; renal, multiple sclerosis, enzyme replacement therapy, haemophilia and hepatitis. Polar Speed operates its own on-site and fully regulated pharmacy, from which we deliver directly to the homes of NHS and private patients. Find our more about home deliveries »
Great news for all our clients. Stringent British Standards Institute accreditation BS EN ISO 9001:2008 has been renewed until October 2012. What does this mean to you? It’s an accreditation that measures good quality management systems. It focuses on all areas of the business, but specifically quantifies customer satisfaction, continual improvement, planning and processes.
It’s the world’s most established quality framework. This standard is adopted by 951,000 organisations in 175 countries. Particularly this worldwide standard measured Polar Speed’s quality management for the ‘provision of temperature controlled warehousing and distribution for the pharmaceutical industry’.
But Polar Speed goes above and beyond, with insulated vehicles fitted with alarmed on-board temperature recorders. It’s good to know Polar Speed is setting the standard for customer service.
Our compliance and quality assurance »
See our “It’s Critical We Care” home delivery video
The critical importance of Pharma companies partnering with a truly compliant logistics service provider such as Polar Speed was never more brought into focus than during the events of December 2010.
As we all know the deadly combination of prolonged Artic weather conditions coupled with the pre-Christmas seasonal home shopping boom, brought many of the UK’s leading parcel carriers almost to a grinding halt!
According to Simon Veale of Global Freight Solutions, speaking on the BBC, he commented that “as many as 2 million parcels failed to reach their destinations on time”. Quite apart from the lateness of delivery, there also remains serious concernsremains a serious concern within the industry that thousands of pharmaceutical parcels despatched via parcel carrier channels failed to meet GDP standards as set out by the MHRA in terms of best distribution practice. Read the article in full »
Temperature sensitive medicine is a very precious cargo to protect. Clients need to know that their pharmaceuticals are stored and delivered correctly. Also it’s essential that there is no disruption to the logistics of delivery. It’s a supply chain that simply can’t be broken. That’s why security is of uppermost importance.
Acting on the advice of leading crime prevention consultants, Polar Speed’s company headquarters at Leighton Buzzard has undergone a major security upgrade. So it’s good to know that pharmaceuticals, sometimes life critical ones, are in good hands. ‘The value and importance of stored products and being aware of the current heavy demand in Europe, has dictated an upgrade to ensure the safety of products’, says Polar Speed Director Brian McKay ‘The site is now actively monitored by both central and on-site services with controlled viewing and constant product monitoring’. ‘We have also taken the opportunity to review our refrigeration monitoring procedures at the same time’.
Polar Speed Director - John Evans
This is an environment where the NHS will face the most severe and substantial financial shortfall in its history (Branwen Jeffreys, BBC News health correspondent). How then can suppliers such as Polar Speed Thermologistics, who work exclusively in the pharmaceutical sector, not only survive but thrive in this challenging climate?
Read the article in full »
‘Will the future for pharmaceutical delivery need to become more exacting and regulated’? Explores the possible dangers of delivering medicines via general carriers who are not fully familiar with the exacting needs and requirements of delivering medicines. John Taylor of the MHRA says ‘Control of storage and transportation temperatures is essential in maintaining the quality of medicines and in helping to protect patients from substandard or ineffective medicines that may result from inadequate control.’
Pictured; Ben Goble Distribution Services Manager and Ian Evans (right) the new South Eastern Regional Manager.
Ian Evans has been appointed to the role of Polar Speed South Eastern Regional Manager having previously worked for the business as a Logistics Planner and Analyst. Evans says ‘our position as the UK’s premier temperature controlled pharmaceutical distribution partner brings with it a responsibility to ensure exacting standards of customer service and quality. I shall be ensuring that these standards are adhered to at our new Fareham centre in addition to continuing to stay fully focused on the needs of our customers currently served by our Rochester, Uckfield and Newmarket depots’.
Simon Veale of Global Freight Solutions who track seven of the biggest parcel carriers in the UK, said on BBC Four consumer affairs programme You & Yours that ‘on-line shopping grew by a massive 30% this Christmas. Between 1.7 and 2 million parcels failed to reach their destination in time for Christmas due to both adverse weather conditions and increased volume’.
Read article in full »
Last year we delivered: and this year we’ve invested even more to guarantee delivery of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals – even in freezing conditions
In winter everyone’s waiting for ‘that special delivery’ in time for Christmas. But when ‘that special delivery’ is temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, it’s vital it arrives on time, and at the right temperature, whatever the weather.
Winter 2010 was a real test for deliveries, Simon Veale of Global Freight Solutions, who track seven of the biggest parcel carriers in the UK, remarked on BBC Four consumer affairs programme You & Yours that over the Christmas period, ‘Between 1.7 and 2 million parcels failed to reach their destination.’
There’s no doubt this was caused by the big freeze, it was the coldest winter for 100 years. And it was a bad news for normal courier services, but temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals were particularly at risk, if left in frozen depots or vans awaiting delivery.
Last year Polar Speed was prepared. Against all odds we delivered, with state-of-the-art chilled and temperate warehousing and a fleet fitted with sophisticated temperature control units. Calibrated temperature recorders, alarms and GPS management ensure we know exactly where each consignment is, and at what temperature it’s travelling.
This year we’ve invested even more to ensure we’re ready to deliver throughout winter months. Clients will be able to pin-point the precise status and location of all parcels and pallets in our supply chain.
It’s easier than ever to keep track of your consignment, our new online ‘Service Bulletin’ informs all our clients of their delivery by postcode, in addition to regular updates from our Supply Chain Team. And because forewarned is forearmed, we’re helping plan ahead, with advance severe weather forecasts by region, so deliveries can be planned before the bad weather hits.
Extra safety features include fitting winter tyres, snow socks or chains to our delivery fleet. We will assess this need nationwide, for example this could apply to all vehicles in Scotland. These added winter measures will come at no cost to the customer, it’s all part of the service.
We also know how important it is for hospitals to keep pharmacy supplies fully stocked in winter. So if emergency supplies are required, we can offer temperature sensitive storage facilities at 13 regional depots, conveniently located for hospitals, to allow for contingency demand.
Many dream of a white Christmas, but it can be a logistical nightmare, critical for temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals. Even in frozen conditions, we’re very proud of our delivery track record, multi temperature warehousing and fleet. So you can be certain medication will arrive in perfect condition, guaranteed, often at a par cost with existing parcel carriers. So Polar Speed is the perfect delivery partner, whatever the weather.
A client at the forefront of modern diagnostics
We have added to our portfolio of high profile pharmaceutical companies with the addition of Abbott Diagnostics. They awarded their 2012 distribution contract to Polar Speed, as we offered value added services, including logistical reach, and temperature sensitive distribution so vital to their key customers.
Respected as leaders in the field of diagnostics, Abbott Diagnostics division has an impressive record of innovation. Abbott's history is steeped in examples of first-of-a-kind products and significant technological advancements.
Abbott products have helped transform the practice of medical diagnosis from an art to a science. They’re at the forefront of modern diagnostics through the company's commitment to improving patient care and lowering overall costs.
Abbott’s company beliefs ‘A promise for life’ are shared by Polar Speed. Polar Speed believes that improved patient care comes from effective delivery tracking and temperature guarantees for pharmaceuticals. This high level service promise comes at a similar cost to traditional courier methods. So on balance, Polar Speed delivers more value for their clients. Director John Evans says, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with another high profile client, it benefits both our companies.”
We’re constantly looking at ways to improve delivery times and logistics. That is why Polar Speed has recently opened a new depot in Rochester specifically to serve customers in South London, Kent and the surrounding areas.
The new Rochester depot takes the total strategically placed centres outside of Polar Speed’s Leighton Buzzard head quarters to 13.
The Rochester centre will allow ease of distribution in the area reducing direct delivery times and miles travelled, thus ensuring more accurate and efficient timed delivery windows.
Rochester will be managed by Andrew Gardner a highly experienced operator and Polar Speed are currently seeking recruits to join their ever growing workforce.
Working within a team responsible for ensuring the safe and on-time delivery of over 0.5 million consignments per year brings with it certain responsibilities. Ed Napier Fenning joins the Polar Speed Logistics Planning Team helping to ensure that the company’s DIPS planning system efficiently feeds into the company’s on-line Masternaught Tracking programme and delivers a service that is beyond general customer expectations. Aspects such as increased efficiency and optimal volume for all vehicles helps to not only control customer costs but importantly ensures a reduced carbon footprint for the business.