DHL to Expand Healthcare and Cold Chain Capabilities in Colombia with Open Market Acquisition

DHL Supply Chain has entered into an agreement to acquire Open Market, a logistics and transport operator in Colombia, expanding its capabilities in Life Sciences & Healthcare and temperature-controlled logistics.

Agustín Croche, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Latin America (left), and Aníbal Wadih, Chairman of the Board of Open Market, sign the agreement for DHL Supply Chain's acquisition of Open Market. (Image: DHL Group)

Open Market operates a network of 21 warehouses covering a total area of 120,000 m², 13 cross-docking platforms and a transportation network supported by its own fleet of vehicles. The acquisition will add capabilities in transportation, packaging and temperature-controlled operations to DHL Supply Chain’s portfolio in Colombia.

Open Market has experience managing complex supply chains for pharmaceuticals, medical products and personal care products. Hendrik Venter, CEO DHL Supply Chain, said integrating Open Market’s expertise would “further advance our global DHL Health Logistics capabilities” and support customers in highly regulated and operationally demanding sectors.

The company’s network also includes temperature-controlled warehouses.

Agustín Croche, CEO Latin America of DHL Supply Chain, said: “Open Market's experience strongly complements our existing offering in Latin America.”

He noted that its transport network, cross-docking operations and temperature-controlled warehouses, together with its experience in Life Sciences & Healthcare and other sectors, will strengthen DHL’s services in Colombia and the wider region.

The planned acquisition will expand DHL Supply Chain’s Life Sciences & Healthcare capabilities in Colombia by adding Open Market’s experience in pharmaceutical and medical product supply chains, alongside packaging and temperature-controlled operations. Its transport network and temperature-controlled warehouses will also strengthen DHL’s healthcare logistics offering across Colombia and the wider Latin American region.

The acquisition supports DHL Group’s Strategy 2030 and strengthens DHL Supply Chain’s presence in Colombia and across Latin America. Around 4,100 Open Market employees are expected to join DHL Supply Chain following completion of the transaction.

Source: DHL Group