Philadelphia, U.S. – Cencora Inc (COR.N) announced plans to invest over $1 billion through 2030 to expand its U.S. pharmaceutical distribution network, following a forecast of adjusted 2026 profit above Wall Street expectations.

The company will construct a second national distribution center in Harrison, Ohio, alongside new or expanded facilities in California and Alabama, aligning with efforts to strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Expansion Details and Automation

Cencora’s 530,000-square-foot Ohio hub is expected to be fully operational by spring 2027, featuring advanced automation to increase storage capacity and throughput. A 430,000-square-foot distribution center in Fontana, California, nearly double the size of the current facility, is targeted to open by fall 2026.

Strong Financial Outlook

The Philadelphia-based company forecasts 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $17.45–$17.75, surpassing analysts’ estimate of $17.50 per share. This reflects strong demand for high-margin specialty medicines, including treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and weight management.

Cencora’s U.S. Healthcare Solutions unit, the company’s largest revenue segment, posted quarterly sales of $75.79 billion, up 5.7%, driven by GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs and higher specialty medicine sales. Overall quarterly revenue reached $83.73 billion, exceeding expectations of $83.46 billion, while adjusted profit per share hit $3.84, beating estimates of $3.79.

The company’s growth trajectory mirrors trends seen in peers such as Cardinal Health (CAH.N), as U.S. demand for specialty and high-value medicines continues to rise.