Chesapeake in strategic pharma packaging alliance in China
US-based packaging group Chesapeake Corporation and German company Friedrich Sanner have formed a strategic alliance between their subsidiaries in China to manufacture and market speciality plastic containers to the pharmaceutical industry in that country.
US-based packaging group Chesapeake Corporation and German company Friedrich Sanner have formed a strategic alliance between their subsidiaries in China to manufacture and market speciality plastic containers to the pharmaceutical industry in that country.
The new alliance between Chesapeake Plastic Packaging (Kunshan) Co. Ltd and Sanner Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging Materials (Kunshan) Co., Ltd combines Chesapeake's plastic bottle manufacturing capability with Sanner's capacity to manufacture speciality closures. The Chesapeake and Sanner subsidiaries have worked closely together since 2002 to market their complementary products and services.
Following the recent signing of a multiyear supply agreement, the alliance will soon be supplying GlaxoSmithKline and has received commitments from other major pharmaceutical companies with operations in China.
Chesapeake's subsidiary in Kunshan, which employs 40 people, began operations in late 2002 at a new 40,000ft2 plant, which produces polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preforms and bottles for customers in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and healthcare and cosmetic markets.
Sanner's subsidiary in Kunshan was founded in 2000 and employs 45 people. The plant is equipped with Class 8 clean room facilities in accordance with EN ISO14644-1 guidelines for production, processing and packing. Sanner China is licensed by the State Food and Drug Administration of China and manufactures in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines. The product range covers desiccant closures and tubes for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
'Forming an alliance with an established supplier such as Sanner provides us with a synergistic partnership as we target the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in China,' said Thomas H. Johnson, Chesapeake chairman, president and ceo. 'The complementary nature of Chesapeake and Sanner products should lead to additional growth opportunities as both organisations work together to pursue new business.'
