Serbian pharmaceutical company Hemofarm, part of the German generic drug producer, the Stada Group, announced the expansion of its portfolio with the Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo in a EUR 10 mln investment that will encompass both the reconstruction and procurement of new production equipment.
“STADA Group acquired the production portfolio Nizoral shampoos from Johnson&Johnson in 2019 and decided to transfer the production of these world-famous products to the production plant of Hemofarm in Šabac,” Hemofarm said in a company press release. “The approved investment worth EUR 10 mln was used for reconstruction of the old blister packaging department, as well as for the procurement of the production equipment for as many as five new lines, which additionally expanded the production portfolio of liquid forms of this company.”
The company added that the first reconstruction phase was completed in June 2022, when the production lines were put into operation.
Jesus Corchero Romero, senior Vice President of STADA Group for Global Operations, emphasized the significance and value of this investment.
“Our goal in Global Operations is to become the Preferred Supplier, on time,” Romero said. “Every time, so we can support perpetual growth in all markets where we operate.
“Over the years, we have learned that for growing and performing better than others we must maximize our network capabilities and to invest in the best technologies in the right locations, showing at any time the flexibility to adapt to the demands of local markets and global business conditions,” he added. “This investment will further strengthen the leadership position of STADA, not only in the local and regional markets where Hemofarm operates, but also in other markets around the world.”
Romero also said that, following the completion of the reconstruction phase, the Sabac site plant will both include three new three fully automatic lines for the production of liquids, but that it will also create new jobs.
Director of Operations for Hemofarm Group Deajan Ivanovic also noted the difficulties of the reconstruction effort.
“The work on this project was extremely demanding,” Ivanovic said. “The plant that was reconstructed is located in the ‘heart’ of the factory, so it was necessary to ensure uninterrupted daily work, in addition to the reconstruction of over 1,000 m2 of space that is connected to the rest of the production.
“The dedication and experience of both production and management employees led to a successful implementation, and within six months, which is the period usually needed for only one line, as many as five new machines were successfully put into operation,” he added, noting that after the complete reconstruction, the total production capacity will come to 30 mln packs of liquid forms.
Photo of the Hemofarm warehouse in Vrsac, Serbia by Niklem, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
