26.04.2024 – 13:04
Teva GmbH
Ulm (ots)
Good prices. Get well soon. ratiopharm is the first German generics company to keep this promise since 1973. 50 years later, in 2023, Teva celebrated ratiopharm’s big birthday with many different promotions throughout the year. The anniversary celebrations concluded on Thursday, April 25th with the long-awaited anniversary event for employees and representatives from politics, business and society. The event was originally planned for October 2023 – i.e. in the anniversary year – but was canceled due to the attacks on Israel on October 7th, initially postponed indefinitely.
The Ruth Merckle House on the Teva site in Ulm’s Danube Valley was well filled with around 200 guests in the evening. After being welcomed by the charming presenter Kathi Wolf and the managing director of Teva Germany, Andreas Burkhardt, guest of honor Manfred “Manne” Lucha started things off. With a touch of humor and a lot of warmth, the Baden-Württemberg Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Integration first looked back at ratiopharm’s success story and the extraordinary development of generics as the inexpensive backbone of the pharmaceutical industry in Germany. He also praised the exemplary cooperation and technical support, especially with regard to medication shortages.
Martin Ansbacher, mayor of the city of Ulm, also brought birthday wishes. In his welcoming speech, he particularly emphasized the outstanding role that ratiopharm has played in the city and region for many years. In particular, he highlighted the impressive range of job opportunities that Teva offers – be it in production, logistics, biotech and administration.
Discussion with voices from the audience
Then things continued quickly with four short rounds of discussions, each with a surprise guest. First, Andreas Burkhardt looked back on his own beginnings at ratiopharm, but also on the changes and developments that resulted from the takeover by Teva. “ratiopharm was a family-run company, everyone knew everyone, everyone was passionate about it – we are happy that we were able to maintain this sense of community over the years under the Teva umbrella,” emphasized Burkhardt. “At the same time, we were able to open up further within the global group. This was easy because ratiopharm was active internationally from the start and was looking for new markets.”
Ludwig Merckle, former managing director of ratiopharm and son of ratiopharm founder Adolf Merckle, then reported to the audience about the difficult early years of the Swabian innovation company. His father’s brilliant business idea of relying on patent-free pharmaceutical products was initially viewed very critically in the German pharmaceutical industry. However, after ten years of losses and a lot of persuasion, the tide turned and ratiopharm’s success story could no longer be stopped.
After this look back, Ufuk Aras, production employee at the Teva plant in Weiler, reported on his daily work and his motivation to work at Teva. The focus was particularly on the connection between employees and the patients who ultimately receive the medications, some of which are vital.
Stefanie Jordan, who is responsible for human resources in the company and has been loyal to ratiopharm and Teva for 20 years, was able to tell us what makes Teva an employer. She emphasized the special corporate culture and the strong sense of community, the many opportunities for advancement and development in all areas as well as the numerous benefits available to employees. Stefanie Jordan didn’t come alone that evening: From the audience, her daughter, Anna Jordan, talked about her own “career” at Teva: about the company daycare center, through which Teva has children’s leisure activities – previously as a participant, now as a carer Despite her young age, she has already held many positions at Teva and has many fond memories of the company.
Lisa Weitner graduated as part of the management and marketing manager for ratiopharm. She gave insights into the extremely successful brand image of Germany’s best-known pharmaceutical brand for years and answered the question of why advertising with twins is still so successful.
If you think of ratiopharm in Ulm, you can’t ignore basketball, because ratiopharm was the team’s main sponsor and namesake right from the start. That’s why Thorsten Leibenath, sports director at BBU’01 GmbH, spoke at the end of the discussion and took a look at the connection and joint development of ratiopharm Ulm and the ratiopharm brand.
A so-called poetic recording rounded off the official part of the evening: Dominique Macri, a qualified psychologist and German champion in poetry slam, had diligently taken notes throughout the evening and composed a poem based on everything that was said.
Social get-together and exchange with winning clubs
The hosts and guests rounded off the successful evening in a convivial atmosphere with drinks and appetizers. They were also able to exchange ideas with representatives of the winning clubs from last year’s fundraising campaign for ratiopharm’s big birthday. They received a total donation of 50,000 euros – the amount of profit for each club was decided by a public online vote. Anyone who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity could also brush up on their first aid knowledge in the specially provided first aid training truck.
Andreas Burkhardt drew a positive conclusion: “What a great celebration! I’m pleased that we were able to celebrate our anniversary today and that so many companions and employees accepted our invitation. We spent a great evening together, but also in the past “Looked into the future,” sums up Andreas Burkhardt. “Here’s to the next 50 years!”
Image note (Source: Teva Germany):
Anniversary_2.jpg: Moderator Kathi Wolf (l.), moderated the discussion with Andreas Burkhardt (l.), Ufuk Aras (2nd from left), Stefanie Jordan (m.) and Lisa Weitner (2nd from right).
Further information about ratiopharm’s history can be found at: https://www.teva.de/unternehmen/presse/pressemitigungen/ansicht/news/teva- Feiert-50-jahre-ratiopharm.html
About Teva Germany
Around 2,900 employees work every day to simplify access to medicines for millions of people and to give patients back some independence. Be it through our medicines – innovative special medicines, generics and over-the-counter medicines -, a reasonable price or a special service.
Germany’s best-known pharmaceutical brand ratiopharm belongs to Teva Germany. ratiopharm has stood for medicines of the highest quality at an affordable price for 50 years. The advertisement with the twins has now achieved classic status.
Teva’s German headquarters is in Ulm. Another production location is in Blaubeuren/Weiler.
Teva’s goal is for patients to get the medicine they need, where and when they need it. 37,000 employees work for this around the globe. Teva provides more than 3,500 different products in over 60 countries.
Press contact:
Corporate Communications Teva Germany
Peter Wunner
Tel. 0731 402-5241
[email protected]
Original content from: Teva GmbH, transmitted by news aktuell