Cencora announced that it will invest $1 billion through 2030 to expand and modernize its pharmaceutical distribution network across the United States. The planned investments will enhance capacity and operational efficiency, while improving resilience across the national supply chain, thereby supporting the company’s role in delivering timely and reliable access to medications for patients nationwide.
A key component of the initiative is the development of a second national distribution center in Harrison, Ohio. The 530,000-square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational by spring 2027 and will feature robotic handling systems, artificial intelligence capabilities, and autonomous mobile robots to enhance throughput and accuracy.
Cencora is also expanding its West Coast presence through a new 430,000-square-foot distribution center in Fontana, California. Expected to begin operations by fall 2026, the highly automated facility will nearly double the footprint of the company’s existing location in the area.
In response to the continued rise of specialty pharmaceuticals, Cencora will expand its specialty-focused distribution center in Dothan, Alabama. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2026 and will increase refrigerated storage capacity by 500% and frozen storage capacity by 200%. These enhancements are designed to support growing demand for specialized cold chain logistics as more specialty medicines come to market.
Specialty medicines are expected to account for the majority of new pharmaceutical launches over the next several years, thereby increasing the need for temperature-controlled distribution and enhanced supply chain capabilities. With the planned expansions, Cencora aims to enhance its operational agility and ensure that customers continue to have access to the therapies their patients require.
Across its U.S. network, Cencora currently ships more than five million medications and healthcare products to tens of thousands of healthcare providers each day.
KEY QUOTES:
“Healthcare providers rely on us to provide efficient access to the medications their patients need, and we’re able to deliver on that promise because of the robust distribution infrastructure and operations we’ve built through decades of investment. This investment underscores our commitment to and role in building a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain and in ensuring patients across the United States have timely and reliable access to prescribed medications, where and when they need them.”
Bob Mauch, President & CEO, Cencora
“We’re committed to delivering an industry-leading customer experience — and that starts with listening to our customers, anticipating their needs and making strategic investments to ensure we can provide the exceptional service they expect. As demand continues to grow and more specialty pharmaceuticals reach the market, the investments we’re making today will strengthen our ability to support our customers’ current and future needs, enabling them to continue delivering high-quality patient care in their communities.”
Rich Tremonte, Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health, Cencora
