AAH invests £30m in new vans

AAH Pharmaceuticals is investing £30 million to upgrade its fleet of temperature-controlled vans.

The pharmaceutical and healthcare products distributor will replace more than 900 vehicles as part of a three-year project to improve the reliability and efficiency of its fleet.

The first phase began in December, with the arrival of 328 new vans. The new vehicles are equipped with a more efficient temperature control system than their predecessors.

An improved and much more agile telematics solution has also been introduced, helping the business plan and organise more efficient delivery routes. This will see fuel consumption fall while the miles per gallon (MPG) ratio will increase, meaning fewer carbon emissions.

Toby Anderson, CEO of McKesson UK, the parent company of AAH, said: “The roll-out of a brand new pharmavan fleet marks a significant investment in the company, to make our operations more efficient, to deliver a better service, and to support our sustainability pledge. Our new vans will continue to be industry-leading in the final-mile delivery of pharmaceuticals to our customers, helping us deliver products to our customers in the most compliant, efficient way.

“We’re committed to enhancing the service that AAH offers to customers, and future-proofing the business through investment. This venture is part of a wider programme of investment and improvement that we hope will drive confidence in the partnership we offer.”

AAH delivers medicines and other stock items to pharmacies, hospitals, and dispensing doctors nationwide.

The new fleet meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, which help to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. It’s estimated that up to 19,550 tonnes of carbon emissions will be reduced per week, which is more than one million tonnes of CO2 per year. This is one of the steps that the business is taking in its sustainability commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.