ICS history
ICS: a history of delivering innovation
Scroll to explore the evolution of ICS through a series of signature moments, from our inception to present day, as well as how we anticipate continually elevating the concept of partnership in global healthcare logistics.
1990-1999
With an average of eight blockbuster drugs launching per year, the third-party logistics (3PL) world was at an inflection point in the 1990s. Multiple carriers emerged and began offering outsourced warehousing “pick, pack, and ship” services on behalf of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
1997
ICS is founded in Addison, Texas with a quintessential question to ask:
Do you want a healthcare company handling your logistics or a logistics company handling your healthcare?
1998
The company is officially incorporated to become Integrated Commercialization Solutions – or ICS, as it is more commonly known today
The ICS story is one of setting a new standard of partnership with pharmaceutical manufacturers, always listening, constantly innovating, and continually thinking ahead.
Just as our pharmaceutical manufacturer partners develop new solutions to fill unmet needs in the healthcare landscape, ICS did the same by adhering to a different set of standards and creating services designed to meet the unique needs of specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers, and help enable their product’s commercial success.
1998
Leaders in technology
1999
ICS pioneers a breakthrough in women’s health via a direct-to-consumer product ordering initiative – helping transform the way patients use the web.
As the ’90s came to a close, every day was an opportunity for ICS to listen to our clients, hear their unique challenges, and deliver innovative solutions that set the stage for the next monumental decade of partnership, collaboration, and specialty pharmaceutical commercialization.
2000-2009
Combining high-tech with high-touch changes everything
Welcome to the digital age. At the turn of the millennium, online banking is catching on in households nationwide. Over the next decade, 3PL providers follow the technology with real-time Accounts Receivable offerings that foster manufacturer trust. “Pick, pack, and ship” becomes table stakes as manufacturers become increasingly comfortable with outsourcing back-office, order-to-cash functions.
2001–2002
ICS opens its first flagship distribution center at Commerce Crossings in Louisville, Kentucky
2002
Revolutionary Title Model launches
ICS revolutionizes the concept of specialty logistics partnership with the launch of its Title Model solution. Learn more about the next-level partnership offered through Title Model.
The ICS Title Model innovation not only handled distribution but enabled ICS to manage Accounts Receivable directly on behalf of the manufacturer. This introduced a new level in brand stewardship and continuity, with ICS answering phones, taking orders, and invoicing under our manufacturer partner’s name.
2003
ICS earns the trust and designation for relabeling capabilities, a huge boon toward ensuring speed-to-market efficiency.
2003
ICS earns an FDA establishment license to re-label, re-package, and kit product in our distribution center
2003
ICS pioneers the concept of a Nurse Field Team
2003
ICS is awarded our first ISO 9001:2000 Certification
2004
ICS builds a new 200,000-square-foot distribution center
With 125,000 square feet dedicated to 3PL and another 75,000 square feet for specialty distribution, our new distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky opens.
2004
ICS introduces robust data reporting in support of superior scaling
2006
Reno, Nevada distribution center opens
2006
ICS launches ReturnConnect System – a proprietary innovation in simplifying and improving the returns process
2007
ICS headquarters move from Addison, Texas to Frisco, Texas
2009
ISO 9001:2008 Certification earned
The ISO 9001:2008 Certification signified our onward quest for continuously improving quality and customer satisfaction.
ICS chose to obtain ISO 9000 series certification because it provided a standardized approach to continuous improvement that encompasses all areas of the organization. It provided a framework for demonstrating to clients and supply chain partners a way to define and continuously improve quality throughout the entire organization, from risk management to distribution to accounts receivable and IT.
2011-present
Evolving the concept of innovative, 1:1 partnership
The era of the “specialty revolution” is upon us, with a pipeline shift to specialty products and increased distribution and logistics complexity. Always looking ahead, ICS is poised to usher in a blend of enhanced capabilities to position our partners for continued success.
March 2011
ICS continues to expand by opening a second facility in Louisville, Kentucky - the new facility is dedicated to 3PL product
2014
ICS develops InCharge
ICS develops and implements a revolutionary, higher efficiency chargeback processing system called InCharge, providing a contract management solution for healthcare companies in the outsourcing environment.
2014
ICS is selected for a breakthrough therapy in the orphan space
ICS is built to support the mission of orphan manufacturers
Orphan manufacturers not only often require special handling for their products, but also need a partner who understands their unique perspective in the therapy landscape. These types of manufacturers must ensure every step is taken to stay lean and funnel capital back into drug discovery, rather than building and supporting infrastructure. From super cold-chain handling to delivery around the world, ICS is built to support the mission of orphan manufacturers – with 3PL services even being delivered within just hours of product availability.
2015
ICS moves into larger distribution center in Reno
ICS more than doubles capacity and moves to a specially designed 102,500 square feet location in Reno, Nevada, built to accommodate the unique and growing needs of specialty distribution
2015
ICS becomes the first automated specialty distribution organization in the country
2016
The Columbus, Ohio distribution center opens
2016
ICS creates Implementation Project Managers
2016
ICS introduces ICS Analytics
2017
ICS advances the industry with a proactive mission to facilitate product serialization
Select below to learn more about how ICS is tracking ahead of the serialization trend.
2017
ISO 9001:2015 Certification achieved as recommended by DQS, Inc.
2017
ICS attains Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification
2017
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) certification achieved for the Columbus, Ohio distribution center
2018
ERP Software Upgrade
We are committed to investing in the tools, technology and infrastructure required to meet the growing needs of our clients and of the healthcare industry overall.
2019
Grand Opening Celebration for Carrollton Corporate Office
2020 and beyond