McKesson Canada is proud to announce a new joint venture between McKesson Outsource Logistics (MOL), its third-party logistics division providing distribution and specialty services to manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, health care, and cosmetics industries; and Associated Logistics Solutions (ALS), a third-party logistics provider specialized in serving this same industry. This joint venture, effective April 26, 2004, will operate under the new name McKesson Logistics Solutions.
 
"Clients will benefit from the synergies between MOL's current high quality service offering, unit-pick expertise and the innovative information technologies used by ALS," said Claudio Bussandri, McKesson Canada's President and CEO. "In addition, combining two great teams servicing the national health care channel will lead to improvements in an already excellent service offering."
 
According to Cameron Joyce, President ALS, the expanded management team will drive better business opportunities, provide the ability to focus on expanding their client base, and in turn, this will allow the development of new service offerings. He added, "This isn't just a win for the clients, but for our employees as well. This joint venture signifies growth for both businesses and presents tremendous benefits for all parties involved."
 
"On a day-to-day basis, clients will have easier access to more detailed information in all areas, such as inventory management, returns processing, order fulfillment accounting and transportation services," added Tanis Gardner, Vice President and General Manager, MOL. "This will enable our client service teams to focus on adding value and ensuring that our clients' needs aren't just fulfilled, but anticipated."
 
 
McKesson Logistics Solutions will continue to operate both current distribution centers and pave the way for growth, improved client services, added specialization as well as service and technology offerings. ALS and MOL clients will see added value in the existing service through the creation of a new client service team and access to the best of both existing offerings.
 
For additional information please contact Annick Robinson, Director Communications, McKesson Canada by telephone 514.832.8219, via email communication@mckesson.ca, or through our Web site www.mckesson.ca.
 
About McKesson Canada
McKesson Canada is the leading provider of logistics as well as information products and services within the Canadian health care marketplace. McKesson Canada offers a range of integrated solutions through our five business units, which are McKesson Pharmaceutical, McKesson Logistics Solutions, McKesson Automation, McKesson Health Solutions, and McKesson Information Solutions.
 
McKesson Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of McKesson Corporation of San Francisco, one of the world's leading health care supply management and information technology companieswww.mckesson.ca
 
About the new McKesson Logistics Solutions:
McKesson Logistics Solutions is jointly owned by McKesson Canada and ALS. Cameron Joyce, former President ALS, has been nominated to the position of President McKesson Logistics Solutions, and Tanis Gardner, former Vice President and General Manager, MOL, has taken on the role of Executive Vice President. Both existing MOL and ALS locations will service the existing and growing combined client base, offering improved and expanded services as a benefit of the joined resources, the latest in technology, and the same knowledgeable and trusted employees.
 
About the former McKesson Outsource Logistics (MOL):
McKesson Outsource Logistics offers a menu of third-party logistics distribution and specialty services, which manufacturing clients in the pharmaceutical, health care, and cosmetic industries customize to suit their logistics needs. MOL has also developed a leadership position in providing unit-pick expertise in the pharmaceutical health care channel.
 
About Associated Logistics Solutions (ALS):
Associated Logistics Solutions is dedicated to providing innovative, effective management of the supply and service challenges faced by manufacturers and distributors today, and tomorrow. Associated Logistics' vision is to be recognized as an industry leader in third-party supply chain logistics, with a strong focus on technology solutions. ALS will continue to operate the non health care portion of the business independently from the new McKesson Logistics Solutions.