“As a pharma and health company, we inform people about health, produce vaccines, detect diseases early on and carry out a lot of research to develop new medicines in response to medical needs,” Van Steenwinkel continues. “To achieve that, we operate 4 major sites in Belgium and Flanders as a region: an R&D center in Anderlecht, our Belgian HQ in Brussels, a distribution center in Zaventem and an ultramodern factory in Puurs, where we make sterile products that are shipped worldwide.”
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Why Pfizer injects innovation in pharma production in Flanders
American biopharma juggernaut Pfizer has been present in Flanders for decades. Luc Van Steenwinkel, managing director of Pfizer Puurs, knows why: “The region boasts a central location in Europe. This, in combination with Flanders’ top-notch education system and excellent workforce, makes a big difference.”
Pharma production hub
Investment after investment
As one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, Pfizer invests heavily in research and development. Van Steenwinkel: “In the past 6 years, we have funneled over EUR 500 million into various projects at our Flanders-based site in Puurs. We have created more than 1,000 jobs, and we will continue on this path in the years to come.”
People power
It’s our people, however, who are the main driving force behind our growth in Flanders and beyond. In addition to their knowledge, educational backgrounds and expertise, there’s also the work ethic in Flanders: the drive to do the right thing for the patient at all times, and to produce medicines of the highest quality. That’s definitely a major key to success.
Luc Van Steenwinkel
Managing Director, Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium
A lifetime of achievements
In February 2018, Pfizer was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Trophy at the annual Foreign Investment Trophy event, hosted by Flanders Investment & Trade. This prestigious trophy acknowledges the multinational’s contribution to Flanders’ economy and business environment.
Reported by
Flanders Investment & Trade26 April 2018
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