Swiss Post Acquires Stake in Steriplus AG

On October 1, 2021, Swiss Post acquired approximately two-thirds of the shares of the logistics company Steriplus AG. The company specializes in the entire logistical supply chain of consumables and the preparation of instruments for medical operations. Steriplus was previously equally owned by the hospitals in Uster and Wetzikon.

(Bern/Kaltbrunn) With the majority stake in Steriplus AG, Swiss Post can now offer additional logistics solutions for medical service providers. The logistical optimization of services along the value chain is one of the most important factors for hospitals and other players in the healthcare sector to become more efficient. The Post does what it is meant to do: design and execute safe, efficient, and reliable goods and logistics flows. This enables its customers to position themselves more competitively and flexibly.

The hospitals in Uster and Wetzikon founded Steriplus AG in spring 2020 and were both previously 50 percent stakeholders in the company. Steriplus’s expertise lies in the sterilization, maintenance, and servicing of medical instruments for surgeries. Today, employees at the hospitals in Uster and Wetzikon prepare surgical instruments for operations. These are used in the operating room along with the necessary consumables. Once Steriplus begins operations at its location in Kaltbrunn in early 2022, it will take over these tasks. The surgical instruments will be tailored to the respective medical procedure and delivered directly to the operating rooms of both hospitals according to the supply principle of “case carts.”

Further Expanding Logistics in the Healthcare Sector

Swiss Post has long been positioned as a logistics provider in the healthcare sector and aims to further expand this role in the future. It brings its core competencies into the company. For over eight years, it has operated a temperature-controlled logistics center in Villmergen, Aargau, specifically designed for the storage of medical and pharmaceutical products. More information about the Post’s logistics engagement in the healthcare sector can also be found on the media blog.

The Post is well aware of the logistical needs and challenges of the healthcare sector and its customers. “The investment is an important step on our path to efficient and integrated full-service provision for customers in the healthcare sector. In particular, the service with the supply principle of ‘case carts’ is pioneering in Switzerland,” says Johannes Cramer, member of the executive board and head of the logistics services division at the Post.

Hospitals Can Focus on Core Tasks

“With the establishment of Steriplus AG, we have set a clear focus: hospitals can concentrate on their core tasks, which is the medical care of their patients. Meanwhile, Steriplus AG takes over the preparation and logistics tasks comprehensively and with the highest possible automation. With the support of the Post, we now have a reliable partner with extensive logistics expertise by our side,” adds Judith Schürmeyer, chairwoman of the board of Steriplus AG and COO of GZO Hospital Wetzikon.

Photo: © Steriplus