MWI Animal Health Opens New Distribution Center in Indiana

MWI Animal Health recently announced the opening of a new, larger distribution center. 

The state-of-the-art 146,000 square-foot distribution center in Lebanon, Indiana, is nearly double the size of the previous facility, according to a release.

The new distribution center bolsters MWI’s national distribution network, which enables the company to provide veterinarians and other animal health care providers across the country with next or same-day distribution services on nearly all its products.

“As one of the largest animal health distributors in the United States and the United Kingdom, MWI provides veterinarians and other animal healthcare providers with next- or same-day distribution services on nearly all its products,” said Dan Howard, regional director of operations at MWI Animal Health. “Veterinarians rely on next-day delivery of life-saving products, and animal ag producers rely on next-day delivery of the nutrition and livestock care products they need. More of our customers are managing to tighter inventories, and their pharmacies require more frequent replenishment. MWI’s customers have come to expect this level of service and we consistently deliver on this expectation. As such, we continually seek innovative solutions and services that allow us to consistently and reliably provide our customers with the products they need when they need them.”

New DC features

The new DC will feature:

• Technology enhancements and automation. More robust conveyor systems that create a more efficient operational workflow. The building is designed to add additional automated features.
• Capacity. The expanded space will accommodate the forecasted growth of the DC, which is expected to grow by 85% over the next five years, according to MWI.
• Sustainable solutions. MWI will add an automated packaging solution in its fulfillment center that will create greater efficiencies throughout the warehouse and reduce MWI’s environmental impact. The packaging solution creates custom-fit parcels that reduce or eliminate the need for void fill, resulting in lower material costs of corrugate and other packaging and reducing the overall environmental impact, said Howard. “At AmerisourceBergen, we are committed to sustainable and responsible operations across the supply chain,” he said. “To that end, we strive to ensure safe product handling, manage greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize recycling. One area we’re really focused on is enhancing the efficiency and reliability of transportation. By optimizing our routes and shipments, we’ve been able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the number of containers we use.”
• Projected job creation. MWI has committed to adding 51 jobs by 2024.

Continually monitoring the supply chain

Howard said since the onset of the pandemic, MWI has been working closely with stakeholders across the industry, from manufacturer partners and suppliers to the veterinary practices and producers the company serves, to ensure MWI is best positioned to support its customers’ evolving needs.

“At MWI Animal Health, we continue to leverage our national distribution network, which includes 19 distribution centers and seven strategically positioned pharmacies,” he said. “Our national network enables us to be flexible and respond to pressing needs, including same-day or overnight deliveries of critical animal health products to communities across the country. In the U.K., we are the only veterinary wholesaler to have two fully stocked distribution centers. Our network enables us to maintain a secure, reliable supply chain, and provide practices with efficient access to the supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment they need.”

“MWI and the larger AmerisourceBergen sourcing teams continue to closely monitor the supply chain for potential impacts and build additional safety stock to ensure we can support pets and livestock in need of treatment,” Howard said. “We will continue to use our fair share allocation program when needed, which creates safeguards on products in high demand, like personal protective equipment, to ensure stable availability.”