Octapharma Dessau shines as a regional finalist in the prestigious “Großer Preis des Mittelstands”

Octapharma Dessau is dedicated to upholding high standards in both business and employee experience. Recently, it was  honored as a regional finalist for the national “Großer Preis des Mittelstands” (the “Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses”).

“This recognition reflects our dedication to excellence and we are proud to stand out among our peers,” says Thoralf Petzold, General Manager, Octapharma Dessau. “It is an honour to be a finalist for Saxony-Anhalt as the award sets very high standards,” continues Thoralf. He also notes that this recognition positively impacts Dessau-Roßlau as a business location, highlighting that this is the first time in recent years that a company from the region has been a finalist for the award.

“At Octapharma, we believe that being a top employer is essential to attract and retain exceptional talent in the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry,” says Fany Chauvel, Group Vice President Human Resources. “This commitment to being an employer of choice is also an integral part of the Octapharma 10-year strategy, reinforcing our dedication to sustainable growth and innovation.”

Celebrating its achievement at the finalists’ gala

Octapharma Dessau celebrated its remarkable achievement at a prestigious gala in Düsseldorf on September 28, 2024. On behalf of the entire team, Thoralf Petzold, together with Head of Visual Inspection and Packaging Steve Hillebrandt, and Head of Finance and IT Florian Reinecke, accepted the award.

More than 4,000 companies were nominated across Germany, 164 hailed from Saxony-Anhalt. Only 11 companies from the region made it onto the jury list in the second round. In an exciting final, Octapharma emerged as one of the three standout winners.

In the selection process companies were evaluated on five key criteria:

• Overall development of the company

• Creation and security of jobs and apprenticeships

• Modernisation and innovation

• Commitment to the region

• Service, customer proximity, and marketing

In their commendation, the jury highlighted several outstanding aspects of Octapharma Dessau:

Empowering employees

At Octapharma Dessau, personal and professional growth is more than just a promise — it's a priority. The company fosters an environment of development through regular feedback meetings and tailored training opportunities that empower employees to thrive.

Cutting-edge work environment

Employees enjoy a modern, ergonomic workplace brimming with innovative technology. With a high degree of automation and robotic assistance, many packaging processes are streamlined, enhancing efficiency and ensuring quality.

Dedicated to the region and to sustainability

Octapharma Dessau is deeply committed to its community. For instance, in spring 2022, the company played a vital role in supporting the city of Dessau-Roßlau by helping to create living spaces for refugees from Ukraine. Moreover, Octapharma has embraced sustainability with initiatives such as green electricity and the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles, demonstrating a genuine commitment to a better future for all.

This award not only recognises Octapharma Dessau’s achievements but also highlights its unwavering dedication to innovation, community and the well-being of its employees.

 “This well-deserved prize is clear recognition of the hard work undertaken by everyone at the site, and in part to their dedication to our company’s five core values. My warmest congratulations go to the whole Dessau team”, concludes Stephanie Kauert, Head of HR at Octapharma Dessau.