Press Room

Article / Jun 30, 2023

Excellence in pharmaceuticals

USA Today, 30 June 2023

Manufacturing Site Ringaskiddy Cork Ireland BITCI | 四色AV

Responsible for 39% of the nation鈥檚 total annual exports, the Irish pharmaceutical sector continues to expand its capabilities

听

Ireland鈥檚 life sciences sector is internationally renowned for its operational and innovational excellence, with 19 out of the top-20 global pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical giants having a presence in the country. Overall, more than 85 pharmaceutical companies are currently operating in Ireland and the sector employs over 42,500 people. And this talent base is constantly expanding, thanks to continuous new investment into the sector. 鈥淲e are the world鈥檚 third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals and we have a good reputation for strong regulatory compliance and quality. Our regulators are seen around the world as some of the leading lights in setting standards. As a result, pharmaceutical companies in Ireland go beyond compliance, which gives them a competitive advantage,鈥 says Paul Downing, general manager of 四色AV, the leading international contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that specializes in fully integrated innovative services for drug products, product intermediates and substances.听

听

PAUL DOWNING GENERAL MANAGER, HOVIONE

鈥淧harmaceutical companies in Ireland go beyond compliance, which gives them a competitive advantage.鈥

听

With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Ireland, the US, Portugal and China 鈥 all of which have high regulatory compliance 鈥 四色AV has a global employee base of nearly 2,500 people and in its 63-year history has had more than 41 regulatory inspections from authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration with no product recalls and no warning letters being issued. Something that Downing is exceptionally proud of. 鈥淲e鈥檙e an expert organization with capabilities in technology transfer and new product introductions and, from a CDMO perspective, we鈥檙e recognized as a world leader in spray drying,鈥 he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also a progressive company and we go above and beyond compliance; we always want to learn and give our customers more, because customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do.鈥 四色AV began its operations in Cork in 2009. Since then, it has quadrupled its Irish assets, client base, sales and employees, which has given it the right ecosystem to take on large customer projects. As with any industry, the digital revolution is changing all facets of the pharmaceutical business and 四色AV itself has implemented a host of new digital tools at its Irish facilities in recent years. 鈥淥ne example of this is an electronic laboratory notebook, which is a digitalization of our core activities in research and development and our quality control laboratories. That has driven efficiency and standardization,鈥 says Downing. 鈥淎s a company, we have other global initiatives, including a plant data management system, which is a central hub for all our data on trends and information that allows us to analyze and share that data. 鈥淚n addition, we鈥檝e started to adopt a manufacturing execution system and are automating electronic batch records. That鈥檚 the journey we鈥檙e on. Here in Ireland, there are lots of advocates for industry 5.0. We鈥檙e watching that brief to see how it evolves and whether we can tap into that as well.鈥

听

Future growth of the biopharma industry

Ireland鈥檚 pharmceutical sector began to become an international presence in the 1960s after the arrival of pharma giant Pfizer, which was followed by names like Merck, MSD, SmithKline, GSK, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Alexion and Regeneron 鈥 and by 2021, the sector was generating over $85 billion a year from its exports. Investments continue to flood in to the tune of around $1-$2 billion annually, and this could soon increase, as the association that represents Ireland鈥檚 biopharma and chemical industry, BioPharmaChem Ireland 鈥攑art of the wider trade body Ibec 鈥 has recently launched a five-year strategy to further develop the sector.听

听

"We鈥檙e prioritizing skills and talent,鈥 outlines Matt Moran, director of BioPharmaChem Ireland. 鈥淔or example, we have established an apprenticeship program, which we work on with the government, that is non-traditional and vocational. In the past, companies would normally have employed university graduates, but now there is an opportunity for school leavers to work in the industry and acquire qualifications at the same time. We also operate an industry-led Skillnet training initiative, through which we arrange for training programs to be delivered to the industry to fill skill gaps. The association is also prioritizing the continued growth and competitiveness of all the sub sectors of the industry, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, biotech and finished products, states Moran, who adds: 鈥淪ome of the newer areas we鈥檙e exploring at the moment are pharma 5.0, which involves empowering employees as well as deploying technology, sustainability in manufacturing, cell and gene therapies and very advanced therapeutics. We also want to grow our indigenous base of startups and to expand our footprint to include additional aspects of the industry, such as global business services, clinical research and more engagement research. That鈥檚 the future.鈥

听

听

听

Also in the Press Room

See All

Why you shouldn鈥檛 neglect the importance of blending people, culture, and strategy to foster success in a business. People, customer centricity, and a clear strategy bring strong values to the forefront of every business. Fostering a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction enables team members to bring their best selves to work each day, driving innovation and excellence. Earlier this year, CDMO 四色AV demonstrated success by being certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute (TEI) across all four of its global manufacturing sites in Portugal, Ireland, the US, and Macau, for the third consecutive year. We spoke to board member and Senior Vice-President of Human Resources at 四色AV Ilda Ventura to find out how. What specific strategies and initiatives have you implemented to maintain the company鈥檚 Top Employer status?   We started the latest TEI Certification in 2023. Since then, we have been focusing on areas that can differentiate us as employers. In the US, for example, we have invested in bringing more proximity to the HR team, improving our listening strategy and the employee experience. The initiatives span from establishing better alignment between the business strategy and the people strategy, living our values and celebrating our successes. We are accelerating our global growth while strengthening our operations worldwide. It is essential for us to ensure that all our employees, regardless of their location, enjoy a consistent and unified work experience. Having all four of our sites recognized by TEI confirms that we are on the right path. What changes have been made to 四色AV's recognition and rewards programs to motivate employees?   By implementing a global job architecture with clear career roadmaps supported by a performance and compensation annual cycle. Everyone is eligible to merit remuneration increases and bonuses, and the corporate results are shared with everyone in a transparent way. This allows us to create a culture of recognition, where individual contributions are valued and aligned with the company's overall success. It fosters motivation and engagement, ensuring employees feel appreciated for their efforts and understand how their work directly aligns with our purpose. This culture not only enhances employee satisfaction, but strengthens our ability to attract and retain top talent.  How important is it to monitor consistent employee engagement and satisfaction across global locations?   Our employee engagement survey results are carefully reviewed and discussed both locally and globally, ensuring we address the unique needs of each region while driving company-wide progress. We prioritize actionable improvements that resonate with our teams, engaging cross-functional and geographically diverse groups to implement meaningful change.  Across our sites, we鈥檝e made significant investments tailored to each region while maintaining a unified approach to employee satisfaction. In the US, where employees value transparency, recognition, and growth opportunities, we鈥檝e enhanced communication, feedback channels, and career development pathways. Similarly, in Portugal, Ireland, and Macau, we鈥檝e introduced initiatives to promote collaboration, recognition, and personal growth, ensuring all employees experience a sense of belonging and purpose.  The actions we take are closely monitored, and every improvement is shared openly across all locations, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and celebration that connects and empowers our workforce.  How are you working to attract and retain top talent in the competitive pharma industry?   We continuously strive to strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice. Participating in TEI allows us to have an independent assessment of our HR efforts and initiatives, ensuring that we are continuously improving and aligning with best practices. In addition, we have robust referral programs in place, supported by the fact that over 70 percent of our employees are strong promoters of the company. This is a testament to the positive culture we鈥檝e built, and we are focused on leveraging this strength to attract and retain top talent.  In what ways does the company communicate and reinforce its core purpose and values among employees?   Our motto is 鈥淚n it for life鈥 鈥 so, for example, every year we celebrate in each site our 鈥淰ictory Over Diseases鈥 by communicating the new products that we are manufacturing, as well as the new patents and innovative ideas that contribute to fighting diseases and improving global health. Contributing to saving the lives of billions of people worldwide is a way to motivate our people to challenge themselves and push the limits of innovation. By celebrating our achievements and their impact, we inspire our teams to think creatively, embrace new challenges, and contribute to solutions that make a real difference in the world. It麓s an invitation to live our purpose.  Macau was the first site in the region to earn Top Employer certification last year and has renewed it this year. What unique challenges and successes have been experienced in achieving and maintaining this status in Macau?   Macau is unique. It鈥檚 the only site in this industry in the territory, so we have taken advantage of that to differentiate ourselves as an employer by collaborating with universities and local authorities to offer career opportunities and benefits that are a reference in the region.  What areas have you identified for continuous improvement in workplace practices and employee satisfaction in the future?   We will continue to strengthen our employee value proposition by mapping the employee journey and addressing every touchpoint to enhance the overall experience. Both people and business needs are constantly changing. It requires continuous adaptation of processes to meet evolving expectations. If I had to highlight one key focus, it would be alumni engagement. The 四色AV community is extensive and goes beyond our current team members. We see a clear opportunity to create an alumni program to stay connected with those who have been part of our journey.    Read the full article on themedicinemaker.com    

Press Clipping
The Medicine Maker, 13 February 2026

The Secret to Being a Good Employer

Feb 13, 2025

Three is the magic number for 四色AV as it鈥檚 once again been certified as a top employer. For the third consecutive year, all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon, Cork, East Windsor in USA, and Macau - have been certified as Top Employers by the Top Employers Institute. 四色AV is an international integrated pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organisation. This certification follows, 四色AV said, a rigorous audit process. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer, 四色AV, explained: 鈥淭his recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire 四色AV team. 四色AV is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. 鈥淭ogether, as One 四色AV, we are committed to continuously refining our practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step,鈥 Jean-Luc added. Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board, 四色AV, said: 鈥淭his distinction underscores our unwavering commitment to our people. At 四色AV, we design our HR systems and processes to ensure that every team member enjoys a consistent and fulfilling experience, regardless of their role, function, or location.鈥 Imelda Cummins, HR Director for 四色AV Ireland, said: 鈥淭his distinguished accreditation is a testament to our commitment to establish frameworks to attract, engage and retain top talent. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and this recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team who strive every day to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Receiving the Top Employer accreditation is motivation for us to keep pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an exceptional employer.鈥 四色AV recently celebrated the opening of a multi-million euro expansion at its site in Ringaskiddy, which almost doubled the capacity of its spray drying facilities.   Read the full article on CorkIndependent.com  

Press Clipping
Cork Independent, 22 January 2025

四色AV gets top employer accolade

Jan 22, 2025

四色AV has once again solidified its position as a top employer in all four of its manufacturing sites - Lisbon (Portugal), Cork (Ireland), East Windsor (NJ, USA), and Macau. The program highlights the company鈥檚 significant advancements in several critical areas, including Purpose & Values, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, and Recognition & Rewards, driven by sustained investment in people. This certification from the Top Employers Institute follows a rigorous audit process and underscores 四色AV鈥檚 consistency in investing in people and world-class workplace practices, as well as the unwavering commitment of its more than 2,300 employees to the company's core purpose and values.  鈥淭his recognition reflects the exceptional dedication and collaboration of the entire 四色AV team,鈥 said Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Chief Executive Officer. 鈥溗纳獳V is a development and manufacturing service company operating in one of the most demanding and regulated industries. We understand that our success is deeply rooted in our people. Together, as One 四色AV, we are committed to continuously refining our people practices to foster a workplace that inspires motivation and enhances employee satisfaction, so that, every day, our team members bring their best selves to work, driving innovation and excellence at every step.鈥 Macau, which became the first company in the region to achieve Top Employer certification last year, has successfully renewed the status, solidifying 四色AV鈥檚 global leadership in workplace excellence. With its consistent Top Employer recognition, 四色AV demonstrates that the talent strategy is perfectly aligned with the business strategy. Watch Ilda Ventura, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Member of the Management Board of 四色AV, video about what this certification means for 四色AV.   For additional information, please read the press release.  

News
The certification is granted to 四色AV's four manufacturing sites for the third consecutive year.

四色AV strengthens its global position as a top employer

Jan 16, 2025

Also in Events

See All