UPS adds four health care facilities

"It gives the direction UPS is now headed in," Caldwell said. "UPS is pretty darn good at doing this type of thing."

The company has steadily added logistics and supply chain management to its services. In the case of the UPS health care facilities, that means drug companies and other clients can stock products at various points around the world. When one of their customers needs a product, UPS fulfills the order at its facility and ships it immediately.

Caldwell said health care's growth promises profits for UPS, while suppliers can be assured their products are kept at proper temperatures and kept sterile. Their customers, in turn, get orders quickly.

"Health care is pretty much always urgent shipments," he said.

Bill Hook, vice president of healthcare logistics for UPS, said the company started building the network about six years ago. He said UPS now can supply clients in more than 70 percent of health care-consuming markets; the company's goal is to supply 80 percent.

Hook said the new locations are part of a hub-and-spoke system designed for rapid shipments. In Louisville, shipments will be accepted until 11 p.m. for next-day air delivery.

The company is spending $100 million for construction, Hook said, and will likely add more than 1,000 jobs in connection with health product distribution. Hook said UPS is emulating its North American network in other parts of the world.

Because of increased regulations and security issues to get such products across borders, Hook said UPS has an advantage in the process.

"We're uniquely positioned to have broad reach globally," he said. "This is a step in our journey."