DHL Supply Chain Italy has launched a state-of-the-art automation system at its Health Logistics Campus in Livraga (Lodi), reinforcing its strategic role in the country’s Life Sciences & Healthcare sector.
Spanning over 7,000 square meters, the newly dedicated area now houses 138 autonomous robots powered by Exotec’s Skypod Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). This high-performance automation solution is currently serving two leading clients in the healthcare industry: Viatris and DOC Pharma.
With an investment exceeding €14 million, DHL has equipped the Livraga Campus with this next-generation system to deliver enhanced efficiency, precision, and service quality in pharmaceutical logistics. The initiative is aligned with DHL’s global standards, aiming to build integrated and technologically advanced logistics infrastructures across Italy.
In recent years, DHL Supply Chain Italy has led the way in adopting collaborative robotics—boosting productivity, reducing error rates, and increasing operational agility. These innovations are particularly crucial in life sciences and healthcare logistics, where precision, safety, and traceability are critical.
Strategic Investment in Italy’s Healthcare Logistics Hub
Antonio Lombardo, President and CEO of DHL Supply Chain Italy, stated:
“The Livraga Campus is part of the strategically important southern Milan pharmaceutical logistics district. We’ve transformed this facility into a flagship hub within our European network, offering cutting-edge solutions to our customers and ultimately benefiting patients.”
He continued:
“Italy plays a central role in the European healthcare supply chain, and we’re proud to be the first—alongside our partners Viatris and DOC Pharma—to implement a large-scale goods-to-person automation solution. With existing technologies like Locus collaborative robots already integrated into our operations, we’re now further enhancing our capabilities through innovations such as RFID for real-time pharmaceutical tracking. These developments ensure we continue delivering best-in-class service to our clients.”
Strengthening Partnerships for Smarter, Sustainable Logistics
Riccardo Zagaria, CEO of DOC Pharma, added:
“We are honored to have played a part in this important milestone on DHL’s innovation path. Today, logistics is more than a support function—it’s a strategic component of the value chain. At DOC Pharma, a leading Italian distributor of generic and branded pharmaceuticals, we’ve embraced automation as a cornerstone of our operational strategy.”
He emphasized:
“Our partnership with DHL is built on shared values of trust, innovation, and expertise. Together, we’ve invested time, resources, and technical know-how to develop a solution that enhances efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability in distribution processes. This system not only raises the quality of our service but also bolsters the competitiveness of the entire healthcare ecosystem.”
“Collaborations like this are essential for navigating a transforming market and for creating enduring, shared value across the healthcare supply chain—from manufacturers and pharmacists to the patients we ultimately serve.”
