Media release
Integration of Globopharm: Prewholesale activities to be transferred to Alloga in Burgdorf
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Contact :
Fritz Hirsbrunner, Vice-CEO and CFO, Head of Finance & Corp. Services Division, Galenica Group
Tel. +41 58 852 85 17, E-Mail media@Galenica.com
On 5 January 2009, pharma distribution specialist Globopharm AG became part of the Galenica Group. This has strengthened the position of the Logistics business sector in the area of pre-wholesale in particular, and will sustainably expand both its customer base and service volumes. A number of scenarios have been examined over recent months, with the aim of optimising the integration of Globopharm's activities into the Galenica Group thereby ensuring their future. As a result, the activities of the logistics centres in Stäfa and Villmergen will be transferred to Alloga in Burgdorf beginning in early 2010.
Healthcare market conditions, particularly rising pressure on costs and margins, make it necessary for similar activities that have to date been managed separately to now merge. Following intensive analysis and examination of various options, the Galenica Group has decided to integrate Globopharm's prewholesale actvities currently located at logistics centres in Stäfa and Villmergen into Alloga in Burgdorf starting in early 2010. This will mean the transfer of 50 jobs from Stäfa to Burgdorf.
The pharmacy in Zollikerberg will continue to operate at the same location and will be incorporated into the Retail business sector. Globomedica and Globocare will continue to operate as independent organisations for the time being. Sales and marketing activities will be transferred to Vifor Pharma.
As a result of the merger of business activities a total of about 30 jobs will be made redundant. The goal is to find a workable solution either within or outside the Group for all affected employees. An internal job centre will therefore be set up and a social plan will be drawn up for the period from 2010. All jobs are guaranteed at their current locations until the end of 2009.
Galenica is a diversified Group active throughout the health care market which, among other things, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products, runs pharmacies, provides
logistical and database services and sets up networks. The Galenica Group enjoys a leading position in all its business sectors – Vifor Pharma, Logistics and Retail. A large part of the Group’s income is generated by international operations.