Today the PHOENIX group has announced several planned organizational changes in the structure of PHOENIX in Germany. These measures are part of the group-wide optimization programme PHOENIX FORWARD initiated in January 2013 which aims to achieve annual cost savings of EUR 100 million Europe-wide.
The target is to optimize the internal organizational structures and processes in 25 countries in order to expand the position as a leading pharmaceutical distributor in Europe and to continue sustainably on our stable course of growth.
The following organizational changes are planned:
Implementation of a German Management
In order to account for the high importance of the German market, the PHOENIX group will implement a German Management effective from 1 February 2014. The German Management will be led by Oliver Windholz as Chairman in addition to his responsibilities as CEO of the PHOENIX group. Helmut Fischer, CFO of the PHOENIX group since 1 September 2013, will also take over the responsibility for Finance in Germany. The Logistics organization will be headed by Stefan Pflug, currently Chief Representative and Group Logistics Director of the French subsidiary. Marcus Freitag, currently Sales Manager of several distribution centres in Germany and Managing Director of the subsidiary in Slovakia, will be responsible for the Sales organization.
Allocation of the distribution centres into eight regions
From the beginning of the new fiscal year, the 20 distribution centres in Germany will be divided into eight regions, whose organizational structures will be designed according to comparable standards. This will ensure the highest possible degree of concentration on operational activities in the distribution centres, so that an optimal service level can be offered to the customers nationwide. Additionally, several administrative functions will be bundled within the regions to create synergies in these divisions. The new regional structure will optimize the processes for the customers and make the organization more efficient.
In addition to the distributions centres, the headquarters and the German subsidiary transmed will also be affected by the planned organizational changes that will have an effect on the employees. From today´s point of view, presumably up to 380 jobs will be shifted or reduced. The aim is to achieve socially acceptable solutions, for example by using natural fluctuation. Business structure related dismissals can, however, not be avoided completely.
