Indian Bilcare defines partnership in Brazil to grow in medicines
Valor Econômico
In the wake of the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, the Indian packaging manufacturer group Bilcare Research has changed its strategy and now has its own operations in Brazil. After having acquired the film business of the English Ineos for € 100 million in the second half of last year, Bilcare strengthened its presence in the pharmaceutical segment and turned towards the integration of its business in the countries where it operates. In Brazil, the integration led to the definition of a partnership with Bilpress, a company created by a Brazilian businessman with the goal of being the representative of Bilcare in the national land.
The Indian that previously sent finished products (films and aluminum laminates) to Brazil from its plants in Singapore and India will now import only the parts. In his Itupeva (SP) unit, Bilpress will assemble the parts, thus manufacturing the final packaging for the national market. With printing and cutting capacity for 16 tons of packaging a month, the unit was concluded in February. "The idea is that if the pharmaceutical industry wants a local production, it should have it. If it wants to import the product, it must be able to. Our operations will allow that", told Valor the Executive responsible for Bilcare Research in South America, Brigitte Stibenz.
The strategy to wrap up the production in Brazil will allow the company to cater with greater agility to the pharmaceutical companies of national operation. According to the Executive, before the acquisition Bilcare held 10% of the Brazilian market of film packaging and aluminum laminates. "Now we are going to increase the participation", he emphasized. The company wants to take advantage of the opportunities of the Brazilian market mainly in the segment of generic drugs. Focused on the reduction of the prices for the final consumer, the companies have turned to packaging solutions that weigh less in the cost of the product.
The strategy of seeking a local partner in Brazil, instead of setting up a subsidiary in the country is related to the focus of the company that is turned to the European and American markets. "We are represented in more than 80 countries and it would be difficult (to have a subsidiary) in all of them", said Brigitte. Bilcare Research has five plants focused on the pharmaceutical sector: in Europe, Asia and the USA.