The Duravant family of operating companies serve the food processing, packaging and material handling segments.
High-Throughput Parcel Sortation for Pharmaceutical Distribution
As pharmaceutical distribution evolves to meet the demands of direct-to-patient delivery, central fill automation, and retail fulfillment, the need for scalable, high-accuracy sortation systems has become mission-critical. Whether you’re managing 3PL logistics for prescription drugs or operating a national mail-order pharmacy, minimizing errors and maximizing throughput directly impacts patient outcomes and operational profitability. NPI’s Xstream Sliding Shoe Sorter is engineered to handle the unique challenges of pharmaceutical parcel logistics—offering unmatched precision, speed, and modular adaptability for high-volume poly bag, carton, and flat mailer handling. Companies like Pfizer, Hims, and CenterWell benefit from sortation systems that align with both GMP-compliant workflows and aggressive fulfillment SLAs.Engineered for Regulated High-Volume Fulfillment
Manual sortation and legacy conveyor systems are insufficient for today’s pharmaceutical logistics environments. Distribution centers must process thousands of orders per hour with near-perfect accuracy—while integrating with ERP, WMS, and labeling systems under strict compliance frameworks.| Operational Requirement | Xstream System Capability |
|---|---|
| Minimize packaging errors across multiple SKUs | High-speed barcode scanning (1D/2D/postal codes) with real-time validation |
| Automate order sortation without increasing floor usage space | Compact footprint and modular layout tailored to central fill or regional hubs |
| Ensure compliance with FDA and DEA guidelines | Legal-for-trade scale options and sortation analytics for data-driven decision making |
| Eliminate product damage during sorting | Gentle diverting via anti-jam breakaway shoes and controlled chutes |
| Integrate with existing pharmacy systems and WMS | Open API architecture for seamless connectivity with inventory and labeling software |
| Meet next-day or 2-day shipping expectations | Conveyor speeds up to 600 FPM; throughput up to 24,000 parcels/hour |
| Automate bulk flow of parcels into single-file for scanning and sorting | Integrated parcel singulator feeds individual packages evenly into the system, improving scan/read accuracy and system efficiency |
| Deploy high-throughput sorting in a space-constrained facility | Xstream Compact configuration requires as little as 2,500 sq. ft., ideal for regional hubs or urban distribution points |
Real-World Use Cases in Pharmaceutical Distribution
- National Mail-Order Pharmacy Fulfillment — Process high-volume prescription orders with guaranteed labeling accuracy and verified weight compliance.
- Direct-to-Patient eCommerce Platforms — Sort sensitive items like blister packs and vials in padded poly bags without damage or jams.
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) for Pharma — Support multiple product lines and SKUs while managing client-specific destination logic and data logging.
- Central Fill & Regional Hubs — Scale operations in smaller facilities with configurable modules and vertical integration into robotic picking systems.
System Features Built to Enhance Production Capabilities
| System Feature | Production Benefit |
|---|---|
| Sliding Shoe Sorting Mechanism | Minimizes friction and parcel impact for reduced damage rates |
| Modular Output Expansion | Scales with business growth without interrupting existing operations |
| Gentle Product Handling in Chutes | Reduces return and reshipment costs for fragile medications |
| Integrated Dimensioning, Weighing, and Scanning (DWS) | Supports downstream labeling, auditing, and shipping validation |
| Web-Based Sort Control Interface | Enables live monitoring, output mapping, and diagnostics by engineering teams |
| 24/7 Operational Design | Delivers continuous uptime with minimal human intervention and lower staffing needs |
Technical Overview
- Sorter Type: Sliding Shoe Sorter with breakaway anti-jam design
- Max Speed: 600 FPM (feet per minute)
- Max Throughput: 24,000 parcels/hour (based on spacing and configuration)
- Footprint: Custom layouts available to fit constrained pharmaceutical spaces
- Compliance Support: Legal-for-Trade weighing, audit-ready data capture
- Control Software: Web-based platform with API access for third-party integration
Proven Outcomes for Pharma Logistics
- 97%+ reduction in manual sorting labor in high-throughput facilities
- 99.98%+ accuracy rate in pharmaceutical order sortation
- 30% faster order cycle times from scan to outbound shipping
- Lower product damage rates due to gentle handling and jam-resistant design
Ready to Optimize Your Pharmaceutical Fulfillment Operations?
NPI’s Xstream is more than a sorting system—it’s a production accelerator for pharmaceutical distributors looking to scale without compromising compliance or accuracy. Our team works closely with your engineers and operations staff to design systems that integrate directly into your logistics architecture—whether at national scale or within targeted regional hubs. Contact us to explore how Xstream can be configured to meet your throughput goals, system integration needs, and production KPIs.Do you need an automated sortation system for your operation? Contact Us.
Related Solutions
Xstream High Throughput Dual Lane Sliding Shoe Sorter
The NPI Xstream Dual Lane Sliding Shoe Sorter is a reliable, efficient, and scalable solution for parcel or package sorting with minimal maintenance requirements.
Xstream Compact High Density Sliding Shoe Sorter
The Xstream is a high speed and accurate automated sortation system capable of sorting boxes, poly bags, flats and irregular parcels.
Semi-Automated Bulk Singulator
NPI’s Semi-Automated Bulk Singulator solves the challenge of converting bulk into singulated flow in a small footprint. Capable of production flows of up to 10,000 PPH