The culture integration project has been progressing steadily since its launch in September. The initiative began with a leaders’ event designed to set expectations and establish a clear direction. Engagement at the event was strong, and the feedback received was positive.

As part of this phase, partners from Culture Consultancy conducted in-depth interviews with all SARIA Food & Pharma and Business Unit leaders. These conversations provided valuable insights into leadership ambitions and expectations, helping to shape the approach going forward.

Progress

During October and November, a division-wide Culture Assessment was carried out, generating an impressive response rate. Building on this momentum, 12 focus groups were established, bringing together over 140 employees from across the organization. The purpose of these sessions was to explore in greater detail the key themes that had emerged from the initial assessment.

Next steps

The project is now approaching the conclusion of the ‘insight’ phase, with survey results beginning to be received. Unlike traditional engagement surveys, this assessment does not provide an overall score or benchmark. Instead, the findings and analysis will be shared with leadership teams, who will collaborate to interpret the results and determine potential initiatives or actions based on employee feedback.

This initiative extends beyond a standard project — it represents a commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture that aligns with strategic goals. By working together with a shared mindset, the organization can achieve even greater success — individually strong, even better together.

As part of Project Delta, Van Hessen and Devro have successfully established an interlinked cooperation model for their Commercial organizations. Over the past 18 months, this collaboration has strengthened their market position, deepened their relationship, and driven significant progress.

Building on this success, and in line with their strategy to enhance customer focus, Van Hessen and Devro are now taking the next step—moving from “Interlinked” to “Integrated.” This transformation will enable them to fully leverage their sales and distribution platform, delivering greater value to customers.

A key component of this shift is the creation of a unified Commercial organization for the casings and gels business. This structure will drive the growth strategy for both Van Hessen and Devro, optimizing market access and increasing efficiency. The integrated approach will not only strengthen their market presence but also create new opportunities for employees, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared success.

As the edible casings market continues to evolve, and competitors and suppliers expand, the integration of Van Hessen and Devro’s Commercial organizations positions them as a formidable market leader. This strategic move enhances their competitive edge, expands their capabilities, and reinforces their commitment to providing comprehensive solutions.

This year, Bioiberica celebrates 50 incredible years of heparin excellence. In an honorable recognition, the company was awarded the title of ‘#1 Heparin production company of the Year in Europe 2024’ by Life Sciences Review.

This award, given after a rigorous and independent evaluation, is a testament to Bioiberica’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation and to the people it impacts with its heparin production. Today, heparin is not just a molecule: it saves over 100 million lives every year!

Pictured above: Joan Bassa Camps, Human Health Director and Javier Velasco-Alvarez, responsible for Quality, Research & Development (f.l.t.r.)

Bioiberica is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with STAUBER, a leading US nutraceutical ingredients distributor. Effective from 1 January 2025, the STAUBER collaboration will supercharge the reach of Bioiberica’s science-backed, branded ingredients for mobility and beauty-from-within, solidifying the company’s foothold in the booming US nutraceuticals market and driving innovation in the sector to support the wellbeing of millions of American consumers. As one of the largest and fastest growing markets for health and wellness solutions, the US is a top priority for Bioiberica.

With over 100 years of combined expertise in health ingredients and science, Bioiberica and STAUBER form the ultimate team to fuel US supplement innovation. Founded just six years apart – Bioiberica in 1975 and STAUBER in 1969 – both companies bring decades of experience, commitment to quality and shared passion for sustainable practices, while contributing unique strengths to this powerhouse partnership.

“The US plays a pivotal role in our growth strategy, offering unparalleled opportunities to advance innovation and meet rising consumer demand for science-backed health solutions. However, succeeding in this dynamic market requires more than a presence – it demands solid collaboration,” comments Joan Bassa, Director of Human Health at Bioiberica.“Our union with STAUBER goes beyond a distribution agreement – it’s a bold commitment to connect with and empower American supplement manufacturers and advance the field of nutraceutical science through the power of true partnership.”   

Shirley Rozeboom, Vice President of Health & Nutrition at STAUBER, adds, “The unique Bioiberica products enhance our portfolio, particularly in beauty, joint, and muscle wellness. We are honoured to represent these science-driven ingredients for health and longevity. We look forward to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and industry markets.”