Local Pharmaceutical Giant Headed to the Top of the World

Stada Group invested as much as EUR 370 mio in the modernization of Hemofarm plants, equipment and new facilities.

“Hemofarm could soon enter the big league of global pharma manufacturers in terms of the amount of medicines produced in its plants. We are talking here about a company originating from a small town of Vršac, which will join the ranks of the world's largest manufacturers", said Ronald Seeliger, CEO of this company, in an interview with Blic, adding that the success of this Balkan giant is the result of work and constant investments in infrastructure and equipment, as well as top quality standards.

This is the reason why, during past 15 years, STADA Group invested as much as EUR 370 million in modernization of plants, equipment and new facilities in Hemofarm. The investments were not stopped even during the current coronavirus pandemic, so this year alone they will exceed 30 million euros.

“Year after year, we have been breaking our own business records, precisely as the result of continuous investments. Hemofarm is a modern organization with high standards comparable to any developed company in Germany or in the world. We are the proof that you can do business successfully in Serbia, of course under the conditions that apply to any business and anywhere in the world: you must continuously invest in your people and business processes, and be faithful to constant innovations in production. Just like any of us - the moment you think you've learned enough and you don't need to invest in your education anymore, is the moment you stop being competitive in the job market.“

· From Serbia to the world, could that be the summary of your business?

It seems to me that sometimes we don't appreciate enough what we have here. People here are used to the quality coming from the outside, from Western Europe, and the importance of Hemofarm is reflected in the fact that it produces precisely for those most demanding markets, and that the medicinal product is the same for all markets. We are here able to work on highest world class level!

Also, this pandemic showed how important it is for each country to have pharmaceutical production on its territory. We have seen how quickly many countries closed their borders and started caring only about themselves and their own citizens.

During the pandemic, Serbia has been able at all times to count on Hemofarm and be certain that there will be enough medicines for patients.

For that very reason, it is important that Serbia and all Balkan countries, where HEMOFARM is operating, has always been able to count on us and be sure that there will be enough medicines for hospital and chronic patients available.

· To what extent have advanced technologies and digitalization helped the industry, especially in these times that are difficult for the whole world?

Let me answer with a specific example – we are the first pharmaceutical company in this part of the world to use Microsoft HoloLens (virtual) glasses in its work. If it weren't for that, probably some of our operations would have suffered during the period when physical travel had not been possible. Also, we have a department in Vršac that does research and development, with 60 amazing and highly educated scientific and technical colleagues. Throughout the years, this department has grown into the prime centre for development and regulatory activities for the entire STADA group, developing more than 150 products for the EU and other markets.

Hemofarm is the first pharmaceutical company in this region that started to use Microsoft HoloLens (virtual) glasses in production.

Just recently, we launched an antithrombotic medicine from our own development, and we have a new product for relieving pain caused by common cold and flu. None of this would have been possible if we had not invested in expertise, believed in new technologies, and tried to be better today than yesterday.

· Speaking of local staff, both the state and companies say that we have a growing problem with hiring workers. How do you motivate employees that Hemofarm is a better choice than working abroad?

Hemofarm is a brand in the Balkans and that fact certainly helps us in recruiting new people. Last year and this year alone, we hired almost 600 people (in Serbia. Our working conditions are good, and our employees, if they want, have the opportunity to advance, even globally within STADA, which many of them have done. And besides that, we have a great culture, which is designed for growth, but most importantly respect and collaboration amongst ourselves.

However, it would be untrue to say that the situation with employment, especially of highly educated employees, is simple, because there are not enough of them on the labour market. For that reason, we, as a company, and I, as someone who has been participating in the management of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce for almost a full decade, support the reform of education, and especially the introduction of dual education. It has had a good response from large companies, but it is important to involve the micro economy in this project as much as possible. You can create a labour market that meet the needs of everyone, large and small companies both, only through a balanced approach.

· You are the leader at the helm of the regional leader. Today, after 10 years of managing Hemofarm, what would be your recipe for good management?

My answer would be to embrace change, continuous improvement and to stay curious for more to come. I think that the people who run the companies have been in special trouble for the last 15 years, because the world has faced great and unexpected moments: from the global economic crisis through accelerated globalization and the necessary digitalization to the crisis pandemic. Nowadays, we need to listen, learn and collaborate more, being ready to start again in a different way tomorrow to reach outstanding results and to grow. That’s at least what we in Hemofarm do everyday and we love it!