The firm said the new Moscow office will intensify its sales efforts and allow it to better serve existing Russian clients, citing its ready-to-fill (RTF) syringe supply deal with Petrovax Pharm as an example.
CEO Axel Herber said the new Russian office “a strategically important step to further develop the fast-growing pharma & healthcare markets of Russia and neighbouring regions.”
The move also fits comments Herber made at Gerresheimer’s 2009 results presentation in February, when he said the firm aims “to create the conditions for future growth through targeted investments.”
Russian packaging market
The Russian market, which IMS recently predicted will grow by as much as $15bn over the next three years, is becoming increasingly attractive to pharmaceutical packaging firms.
Prior to today’s news, Gerreshemier’s rival Schott said its new manufacturing facility in Nizhny Novgorod was on track to become fully operational as an ampoules, vials and glass tubing production hub by the end of the year.
Kimble Chase Vineland unit to close
In other news, a facility operated by Kimble Chase Life Science and Research Products, a joint venture (JV) between Gerresheimer Glass and ThermoFisher, will close by the end of the year.
The unit, located in Spruce Street, Vineland, New Jersey, supplies pharmaceutical, life science and academic researchers with disposable glassware products, including vials, columns, centrifuge and culturing tubes.
Company spokesperson Susan Tinnon told the DailyJournal that: “Our business declined, the same as most other businesses have, as well," adding that: "We don't see it coming back quickly and we don't see it coming back to the same level."
Production at the Spruce Street site, the only Kimble Chase facility being closed, will be transferred to other units.