Your next batch of supplies may come from above, as UPS and Henry Schein will explore and test a variety of drone deliveries. Use cases would examine unmanned aerial vehicles within business-to-business operating models.
The initiative to investigate drone deliveries will begin in 2020 and focus on testing the transport of essential healthcare products by UPS to Henry Schein customers, including medical and dental practitioners.
“It is exciting to see Henry Schein come aboard this groundbreaking program,” said Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and information officer. “Healthcare and life science logistics are strategic priorities for UPS, and the testing of this drone program is a testament to the value organizations are seeing in this dynamic technology.”
UPS Flight Forward and Henry Schein will explore methods under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight to test final-mile delivery where traditional road transport may be less effective or timely. This may include health campuses, remote communities, or temporarily inaccessible areas due to natural disasters.
In September 2019, UPS Flight Forward, the delivery company’s drone airline subsidiary, received FAA Part 135 Standard certification with authorization for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to operate a drone delivery program at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“Our customers rely on us to provide an exceptional experience with the ultimate goal of providing patients quality care,” said Gerry Benjamin, Henry Schein executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
“As we scale our current capabilities, we are exploring new solutions to address the unique logistics challenges in healthcare. We are pleased to work with our longtime healthcare partners at UPS to advance the exciting capabilities that drones offer to shorten the time and distance between essential medical supplies and patient care,” said Benjamin.
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