LOGISTICS
ASTEM’s strength is the sales and distribution network for delivering both drugs and medical devices.
Our thorough traceability and quality control enable a stable supply.
We have more than 30,000 product lineups on a steady basis.
We supply products from many pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to local medical institutions, by owning 70 sales offices (excluding Headquarters), three logistics centers (two for drugs and one for medical devices), and 85 depots (64 for drugs and 21 for medical devices), primarily in West Japan. By operating HEREON Inc. together with other eight companies, we cover all of Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south.
| Products offered | Ethical drugs |
|---|---|
| No. of products in stock | 20,000 items |
| Manufacturers of products offered | 200 companies |
| Site area | 26,302m² |
| Building area | 9,106m² |
| Total floor area | 24,676m² |
・Fully equipped with a private electric generator
・Fully equipped with a solar power generation system
・Stringent temperature control in accordance with JGSP (Japanese Good Supplying Practice)
| Products offered | Ethical drugs |
|---|---|
| No. of products in stock | 10,000 items |
| Manufacturers of products offered | 150 companies |
| Site area | 11,585m² |
| Building area | 7,142m² |
| Total floor area | 15,371m² |
・Fully equipped with a private electric generator
・Fully equipped with a solar power generation system
・Stringent temperature control in accordance with JGSP (Japanese Good Supplying Practice)
| Products offered | Medical devices |
|---|---|
| No. of products in stock | 10,000 items |
| Manufacturers of products offered | 350 companies |
| Site area | 19,683m² |
| Building area | 9,581m² |
| Total floor area | 19,491m² |
・Fully equipped with a private electric generator
・Fully equipped with a solar power generation system
・Stringent temperature control in accordance with JGSP (Japanese Good Supplying Practice)
Mobile device to register product arrival (left) and input of the arrival of products by lot using the arrival line *EDI 
An automatic stocker (SPC)* automatically stocks products by lot on shelvesWe have developed a system to trace a series of information from arrival at the Logistics Center to deliver to our customers, in which the Logistics Center registers arrival of all products from manufacturers and creates electronic data for each “manufacturing lot.”
Automatic warehouse (products kept at room temperature)
Rotating rack (products stored at a cool temperature or refrigerated)Areas are divided according to product storage temperature zones, and by using a temperature sensor and a logger, we always maintain the appropriate temperature.
In addition, a positive pressure system has been introduced in our Logistics Center, to help prevent dust and pests, maintain the temperature, and prevent dew condensation in the Center.
Multi-picking cart
Assorting systemWe have adopted “multi-picking carts” with a cover primarily for operations at a handy terminal and an “assorting system” for sorting products by delivery route. They ensure high accuracy in operation and high productivity at the same time.
Minimum quantities of products are also stocked in depots, especially for products that may be needed for an emergency and from the perspective of BCP, to ensure business continuity in case of an emergency.
Products packed in the Logistics Center are sent to a depot assigned for the destination area, from which packages are shipped to customers.
Through close communications with our sales force, our logistics offers fine-tuned services.
ASTEM’s exclusive operation control system “bASket” achieves high quality operations by using barcodes and develops a database of all operation records from receiving to shipping products.
Traceability functions and accumulated operation data enable establishment of a more accurate and efficient operation framework.
Business continuity upon disaster
Disaster Preparedness Guide MapBy formulating a Business Continuity Plan (BCP), ASTEM has developed and maintains an emergency contact list, implements a safety confirmation system, evaluates and assesses disaster risks at each site, and periodically performs an evacuation drill for disasters. These activities are performed to increase employees’ awareness of an emergency and familiarize them with response measures.
The OWL Center and Kirishima LIS Center have been constructed with aseismic designs that resist an earthquake with an intensity up to upper 6 on the Japanese scale, and both centers are equipped with a private electric generator and a solar power generation system that secure power for up to 72 hours, in order to maintain refrigerated or frozen products even during a disaster. Similarly in our branches and sales offices, we are installing a private electric generator as an emergency power source for refrigerators and lithium-ion storage batteries to activate information devices.
To increase earthquake resistance, we are fixing product shelves either on the ceiling or floor in Logistics Centers and depots. Not only preventing product falls and damage from an earthquake, we prevent shelves from falling to minimize other damage.
