VPL: Integrated Company and Competitor Profile



Company Overview



VPL is a healthcare software and services company dedicated to modernizing clinical supply chains to support a healthier patient population. Emphasizing transparency and innovation, VPL develops data-centric, technology-driven solutions to empower health systems and outpatient pharmacies. Their offerings include comprehensive supply chain management software designed to enhance efficiency, compliance, and cost control. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, VPL operates as a privately held company and is part of LLR Partners' portfolio.

Key Achievements and Metrics



  • VPL serves over 700 hospitals and has partnerships with more than 6,000 suppliers.

  • The company maintains a 97% customer retention rate, highlighting its strong reputation and trusted services.

  • VPL's advanced platform provides inbound freight management and pharmacy solutions besides core supply chain services.


Recent Developments



VPL has pursued strategic partnerships, such as with SDS Rx, to innovate healthcare logistics by optimizing outbound logistics for health systems. This alliance aims to offer a fully integrated, technology-driven supply chain solution. In 2023, VPL onboarded over seven new health organizations, including entities such as Allina Health and Anderson Hospital, reinforcing its market leadership.

Leadership Team



  • Eric McGlade: CEO and Co-Founder, with over 20 years of experience in healthcare freight management and supply chain consulting. He advocates for innovative solutions to address industry challenges and improve patient outcomes.

  • Derrek Seif: Chief Strategy and Product Officer, leading VPL in building future-ready healthcare and pharmacy supply chains.

  • Dillon Leary: Chief Financial Officer, leveraging substantial experience in finance and accounting to drive the company’s financial strategies.


Financial Highlights



VPL has secured a total of $10.35 million across five funding rounds, with the latest being a growth equity investment in September 2022, indicating investor confidence in its strategic direction and growth prospects.

Industry Position and Strategic Initiatives



In the freight and package transportation industry, VPL is a leader in healthcare logistics. The company focuses on integrating technology enhancements and strategic partnerships, complemented by its consultative customer experience, asserting its role in nationwide healthcare logistics improvements. VPL's dedication to building smarter, resilient supply chains underscores its commitment to operational enhancements and long-term strategic benefits.




Competitor Analysis



Key Competitors



1. Descartes MacroPoint


  • Overview: A leading multimodal freight visibility platform offering real-time visibility and predictive analytics for shippers, brokers, and 3PLs. Connected to over 100,000 carriers providing integrated data via telematics and GPS technologies.

  • Financials: Revenue at $11.3 million; total funding of $44 million as of 2016.

  • Employee Count: 501-1,000 employees.

  • Headquarters: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

  • Key Offerings: Freight visibility, product innovation through a cloud-based SaaS solution.


2. project44


  • Overview: A global leader in supply chain visibility, connecting shippers, LSPs, and carriers via an extensive digital platform.

  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois.

  • Achievements: Recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Real-Time Transportation Visibility Platforms. Achieved unicorn status with $420 million in Series F funding in June 2021.

  • Platform: Facilitates over 1 billion shipments annually across multiple industries, providing multimodal tracking solutions.

  • Global Presence: Active in 170+ countries with offices across key global cities.


3. FourKites


  • Overview: Providers of a real-time multimodal transportation visibility platform extending to yards, warehouses, and stores.

  • Clients: Over 1,500 companies, including major CPG and food & beverage corporations.

  • Innovation: Offers Network Visibility, Dynamic ETA solutions to enhance supply chain efficiency.

  • Funding: Received $243M over 9 financing rounds.

  • Global Reach: Operational in over 200 countries, handling over 3.2 million daily shipments.


4. Shippeo


  • Overview: Specializes in real-time, multimodal transportation visibility and process automation.

  • Clients: Works with brands like Amazon, Coca-Cola, and L'Oréal, managing 55 million shipments annually in 110 countries.

  • Platform: Integrates with over 1,000 systems, offering precise shipment tracking.

  • Objective: Aims to transform supply chains with a focus on precision and sustainability.


Key Insights



VPL competes robustly in the healthcare logistics space with its Smart Supply Chain Platform. Rivals like Descartes MacroPoint and project44 present stiff competition, showcasing extensive integration and predictive analytics capabilities. Competitors such as FourKites and Shippeo focus on real-time visibility and innovation to optimize the supply chain from warehouse to consumer. Differences in investment and global presence mark these competitors, with project44 leading in financial backing and Descartes MacroPoint excelling in its comprehensive network reach.

For VPL, maintaining technological superiority and ensuring seamless integration with existing healthcare systems are crucial strategies. Strategic partnerships and ongoing platform innovation are essential for paralleling the expansive capabilities and global influence of its competitors.