Trenker Pharmaceutical Laboratories aims to become an international benchmark. It was with the arrival of Yannick Toussaint as Export Manager, in 2017, that Trenker decided to implement a large-scale export strategy. Let's find out more about this small Walloon "pharma company" that has what it takes to conquer foreign markets.
Founded in 1933 by Rodolphe Henri Trenker and initially based in Brussels, this family business has centralised all the manufacturing stages of its products in its new factory in Nivelles since 2017. It develops, produces, checks and markets high-quality pharmaceutical products, food supplements and medical devices. The company's current aim is to become an international benchmark in the continuous development of innovative, high added value solutions for patients, health professionals and all categories of people concerned with good health.
An investment of 15 million euros, obtained in 2017 through financial assistance from Wallonia and in BW, has allowed the company to achieve its ambitions by finding the space it needed to build a brand new 6,000 m2 headquarters in the south of Nivelles. The building is also covered with 552 photovoltaic panels that provide 25% of its electricity consumption. This new strategic milestone has even enabled the company to hire 20 new employees, making a total of 97 employees to date, in just one year. "A lot of things have improved by coming here. All our activities are now located in one place, from the research and production of our products to their shipment. In fact, no one left the company following our move. We have even recruited 20 new employees," said Rodolphe Trenker, the company's Managing Director.
In the early 2000s, the laboratories took a new direction by entering the food supplement market (through the acquisition of Vitanutrinat). At that time, all the company's revenue was still dependent on medicines, "now, we are no longer developing new medicines, but in 2018, our turnover reached 22.36 million euros, three quarters of which came from the sale of food supplements. Our range includes 120 references, with two flagship products, Alline Procap and Mobilityl", summarised Rodolphe Trenker.
Trenker is now setting its sights higher. Indeed, its leading position, acquired for certain products in Belgium, is no longer enough. So in September 2017, with the recruitment of Yannick Toussaint (Export Manager), the company decided to implement a large-scale export strategy. "In 2018, sales outside the European Union "only" amounted to €1.7 million, or 7% of turnover, and we are aiming for €2.5 million by 2020, depending on current product registrations. This will be achieved thanks to an increase in sales volumes outside the EU, a broader product range and, above all, the opening up of new markets, with China as the main target. The goal is that within 5 years, 25% of our revenues will come from exports and, in addition to China, we want to increase our visibility and presence in the Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar," concluded the Managing Director.
Source : La Libre Belgique