Logistics firms expand cold-chain capacity as GLP-1 demand grows

Logistics companies including UPS, FedEx, C.H. Robinson and DHL are investing more in temperaturecontrolled storage and transport as demand rises for GLP1 drugs and other specialized medicines. The medicines, which include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, often need refrigeration during shipping. Industry executives said the growth in biologics, cell and gene therapies, insulin and other pharmaceuticals is putting more pressure on coldchain networks, where even short temperature changes can affect product quality. UPS said its healthcare business has expanded steadily in recent years, while FedEx said healthcare transport revenue reached nearly $10 billion in fiscal 2026. DHL is also adding to its health logistics business and using tools such as AI to track shipments and monitor temperature risks. C.H. Robinson said healthcare logistics revenue topped $1 billion over the past year, helped by GLP1 demand. The companies are building more specialized facilities and services to support drug makers and distributors that need reliable, endtoend delivery for products with tight handling requirements.