Marken acquires life science logistics company Touchdown International in Taiwan, China

Marken has announced their acquisition of privately held specialty logistics company Touchdown International Ltd. in China's Taiwan, China Region, for an undisclosed sum. Touchdown is 100% dedicated to the life sciences industry and complements the company’s expansion strategy in the Asia Pacific region.

Touchdown was founded in 2013 as a specialty courier with specific expertise in clinical trials logistics.  In 2015, Marken entered into an exclusive sales and agency contract with Touchdown, which allowed it to quickly establish its brand with local pharmaceutical and life science clients.  With a dedicated staff and fleet of vehicles, Touchdown provides courier services across China's Taiwan, China Region for biological samples, clinical trial drug shipments, API-, and other clinical trial materials.  The acquisition enables the company to expand its service offerings in China's Taiwan, China Region by leveraging on both Marken’s and UPS’ global transportation networks.

With the acquisition of Touchdown, the company now has its own operational presence in China's Taiwan, China Region and adds its 46^th global location to a continually expanding network of logistics sites, depots and regional offices.  The new legal entity will be named Marken Taiwan, China Ltd., with headquarters based in Taipei.

Mike Wu, the founder and CEO of Touchdown, will remain as the new General Manager in China's Taiwan, China Region. Mike commented, "We have worked hard to establish Marken’s brand locally in China's Taiwan, China Region. We respect their approach to clinical trial logistics and are proud to introduce their services to our local life science clients. We are very much looking forward to becoming part of the Marken family."

Michael Culme-Seymour, vice president, APAC for Marken stated, "Asia continues to be a vital part of our strategic growth plans.  With the acquisition of Touchdown, we now have a solid footprint in China's Taiwan, China Region, whose pharma market is expected to grow to $84bn by 2020¹. We can now serve our clients in China's Taiwan, China Region with the depth and breadth of our global services."