1.0Market Snapshot
- +2.2%
- Growth of Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical exports in 2025, to CHF 152.1 billion (scienceindustries, January 2026) — the volume pharma logistics moves. No BFS class covers pharma logistics alone.
- CHF 46.1bn
- Size of the whole Swiss logistics market in 2024, +1.4% (GS1 Switzerland / University of St. Gallen, Logistikmarktstudie 01/2026). Pharma logistics is a specialised part of it; no separate figure is published.
- 88
- GMP/GDP inspections by Swissmedic in 2025 (95 in 2024). Every company that stores, imports, exports or wholesales medicines needs a Swissmedic operating licence.
- 26,895
- Employees of Swiss forwarders and other transport-service firms in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 52.29), the class where most pharma logistics providers are registered.
2.0Industry Overview
Switzerland is one of the world's largest exporters of medicines: chemical and pharmaceutical exports reached CHF 152.1 billion in 2025, up 2.2% and more than half of all Swiss exports, according to the industry association scienceindustries. The EU took CHF 80.3 billion and the US CHF 36.7 billion. Every one of these shipments needs temperature-controlled, documented transport and storage under Good Distribution Practice (GDP). Pharma logistics is the specialised part of a Swiss logistics market that GS1 Switzerland and the University of St. Gallen put at CHF 46.1 billion in 2024 (+1.4%); no separate figure for pharma is published, and no BFS class counts its companies.
3.0Industry Health Check (SWOT)
- Demand anchored in the world's largest pharma export base relative to population
- Concentration on a few large pharma clients
- Cell and gene therapies needing ultra-cold and time-critical logistics
- US tariffs and trade disputes affecting pharma flows
Unlock full Logistics (Pharma / Cold Chain) intelligence
Market trends, cost structure, key players, succession analysis and regional clusters for Logistics (Pharma / Cold Chain) — free with Market Pulse, our monthly letter on Swiss deals.
Includes one letter a month on Swiss deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Logistics (Pharma / Cold Chain) business valuation in Switzerland
- Statutory Multiple (EBITDA)
- 5.0 - 7.0×
- Deal Multiple (EBITDA)
- 6.0 - 9.0×
- Market Trend
- Rising
Indicative ranges based on market research. Actual multiples vary by company size, growth, and market conditions.
8.0Regional Clusters
Zurich
131 forwarding and transport-service firms with 9,213 employees in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 52.29, used as a proxy: no class covers pharma logistics). Zurich airport handles most air-freighted medicines.
Northwestern Switzerland
182 firms with 7,413 employees, close to the Basel pharma industry; DSV's Swiss company is registered in Basel.
Central Switzerland
96 firms with 2,904 employees; Kuehne+Nagel's group headquarters is in Schindellegi (SZ).
Eastern Switzerland
107 firms with 2,425 employees.
Bern and Solothurn
79 firms with 1,674 employees; Movianto Schweiz is registered in Neuenegg (BE).
Ticino
133 firms with 1,648 employees, many serving trade with Italy.
Western Switzerland
143 firms with 1,611 employees; World Courier's Swiss company is in Plan-les-Ouates (GE).
Sources
9.0Frequently Asked Questions
▶How much is a pharma logistics company worth in Switzerland?
ValIndex's multiples table puts Swiss pharma logistics at 6.0–9.0× EBITDA in transactions and 5.0–7.0× EBITDA on statutory valuations. Firms with Swissmedic licences, qualified temperature-controlled capacity and long contracts with several pharma clients sit at the upper end; transport-only firms dependent on one client sit lower.
▶What drives the value of a Swiss pharma logistics provider?
Buyers price: (1) Swissmedic licences and inspection history; (2) validated, temperature-controlled warehouses and fleet; (3) length and spread of pharma contracts; (4) clinical-trial or specialty capabilities; (5) quality staff; (6) location near the Basel and Zurich clusters and airports.
▶How big is Swiss pharma logistics?
There is no official figure for pharma logistics: no BFS class covers it. It serves an export flow of CHF 152.1 billion of chemical and pharmaceutical products in 2025 and is part of a total Swiss logistics market of CHF 46.1 billion in 2024 (GS1 / University of St. Gallen).
▶Who are the main pharma logistics providers in Switzerland?
Global forwarders with healthcare divisions — Kuehne+Nagel and DSV — and specialists such as World Courier (Cencora), Movianto (Yusen Logistics since December 2025) and Helveticor, which works with the Planzer group.
▶What are the key trends in Swiss pharma logistics?
Five trends: (1) pharma exports grew 2.2% to CHF 152.1 billion in 2025; (2) Yusen Logistics bought Movianto in December 2025; (3) DSV absorbed Schenker in 2025; (4) Swissmedic carried out 88 GMP/GDP inspections in 2025; (5) the overall logistics market grew 1.4% in 2024.
▶What are the main risks when buying a Swiss pharma logistics company?
The main risks are: (1) dependence on a few pharma clients; (2) losing a Swissmedic licence after an inspection; (3) investment needs for validated equipment; (4) trade disputes affecting pharma flows; (5) price pressure from global networks. Due diligence should check licences, inspection reports, temperature-excursion records and contract terms.
▶What licence does a pharma logistics company need in Switzerland?
A company that stores, imports, exports or wholesales medicines needs an operating licence from Swissmedic and must follow Good Distribution Practice (GDP). Swissmedic inspects licence holders: 88 GMP/GDP inspections in 2025.
▶Where are Swiss pharma logistics providers located?
Close to the pharma industry and airports. Using forwarding firms as a guide (NOGA 52.29, 2024): Zurich has 9,213 employees and Northwestern Switzerland, home of the Basel pharma cluster, 7,413; Central Switzerland follows with 2,904, Eastern Switzerland 2,425, Bern and Solothurn 1,674, Ticino 1,648 and Western Switzerland 1,611.