Founded in 1977 in St Louis, Missouri, Associated Couriers began with “one man and one van” and quickly earned a reputation as a trusted logistics provider in the healthcare space. From its early days the company focused on delivering time-critical, life science shipments, most notably becoming a pioneer in radiopharmaceutical transport in the United States.

From the very beginning, Associated Couriers held itself to the highest standards of accuracy, reliability and compliance. Whether transporting delicate radiopharma shipments, clinical trial specimens, or time-sensitive life science products, the company’s guiding principle remained constant: deliver with purpose, protect what matters, and serve patients.

Today, the same team, drivers and facilities continue under the Life Couriers name, strengthened by a global customer base, expanded worldwide logistics network, and a continued commitment to serving patients in need.


Journey and Milestones

The journey of Associated Couriers, from founding to growth, acquisition and rebranding.

Associated Couriers
Founding
Associated Couriers founded in St Louis, MO.
1977
Associated Couriers
Atlanta hub
Atlanta hub launched, providing daily deliveries in the Southeast region of the US.
1979
Associated Couriers
New hub locations
Associated Couriers expands its reach with four new hub locations in Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, and Memphis.
1985
Associated Couriers
Expansion
Expansion continues with new locations in Charlotte, Boston and Dallas, the latter providing additional time-sensitive shipping opportunities in the West.
1986-1988
Associated Couriers
Nationwide growth
Launch of hubs in East Rutherford, Springfield, Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Fayetteville and Phoenix. Warehouse expansions in Detroit and St. Louis.
2015-2022
Associated Couriers
Acquisitions
Associated Couriers acquires Specialty Freight & Courier, HealthEx Courier and Vision Logistics.
2021-2022
Life Couriers
Rebranding
Associated Couriers rebranded to Life Couriers and becomes a global leading healthcare and life science logistics operator.
2025

What made Associated Couriers stand out to Life Couriers

Radiopharma expertise

A pioneer in radiopharmaceutical logistics, one of the only companies in America with US DOT special permit 8308 for Class 7 radiopharmaceuticals.

Safety, precision and compliance

Company-owned fleet, trained drivers with Hazmat certifications, stringent protocols for chain-of-custody and temperature control.

Patient-first mindset

Solutions that meet the unique demands of life science, healthcare and clinical logistics.

Innovation and growth

Building from a small regional courier into a national player for complex healthcare logistics, always adapting to the evolving needs of the market.

Associated Couriers now Life Couriers following acquisition and rebranding.

Associated Couriers’ strong culture and patient-first approach was renowned throughout the US, particularly in the radiopharma logistics space. Now, this legacy continues under the Life Couriers global brand.


How this acquisition strengthened Life Couriers' global vision

The integration of Associated Couriers into the Life Couriers group marked a powerful strategic alignment:

Unrivalled experience

Decades of deep-domain expertise gained, particularly in Radiopharma Logistics.

Proven operational platform

A trusted operational platform built on experience and knowledge gained in the field.

Regional network meets global reach

Stronger logistics network across the United States, a key pillar in our global strategy.

Shared mission and values

A foundation in “Logistics for Life”, recognising that behind every parcel and delivery is a patient that relies on us.



Looking forward: The Life Couriers advantage

As we move forward as Life Couriers, the values and legacy of Associated Couriers remain front and centre. The integration brings:

Global network

Expanded global network access for existing Associated Couriers clients.

Enhanced services

Enhanced service capabilities driven by Life Couriers’ strengths in Stem Cell, Radiopharma, Life Science, Direct-to-Patient, Pharma Freight and Emergency Logistics.

Commitment

A continued commitment to the same high standards of safety, reliability and patient-centric focus that made Associated Couriers a respected name.


A legacy to scale

The legacy of Associated Couriers is not just about where we came from, it’s about how that foundation empowers us to deliver more, reach further and impact lives.

Today as Life Couriers, we serve with even greater scale, expertise and care.


Discover the Life Couriers service range

Life Couriers is the global leader in saving lives and trusted advocate for the good of patients, with the broadest service portfolio on the market.