The challenge
As a network of companies in the Swiss healthcare market, Galenica is in a particularly challenging situation. The company provides fully integrated solutions for customers, patients, pharmacies, drugstores, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, retirement and nursing homes and other partners in the healthcare sector. On the one hand, Galenica’s many stakeholders expect a sustainable corporate culture. On the other hand, the company has limited scope for action, as it can only make effective progress towards sustainability together with partners such as suppliers and customers.
The company recognized early on that sustainable success cannot be achieved primarily through downstream measures (“end-of-pipe” approaches), but above all through a far-reaching, integrated transformation of its own way of working. With this in mind, the role of Chief Sustainability, Public Affairs & Transformation Officer was created to ensure a holistic approach with a focus on change management, while at the same time allowing the individual business units to retain their responsibilities. This approach also shaped the search for an external partner.
About Galenica
The Galenica AG, headquartered in Bern, is the leading fully integrated healthcare group in Switzerland. Founded in 1927, the company employs around 8,000 people and generated sales of around CHF 3.9 billion in 2024. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Galenica is divided into three main divisions: The Retail Business sector comprises over 380 pharmacies under the Amavita, Sun Store and Coop Vitality brands in a joint venture with Coop. In the Products & Brands sector, the company develops and markets its own healthcare products. The Logistics and IT division includes the companies Galexis, UFD, Alloga, the OTC (over-the-counter) manufacturer Verfora and HCI Solutions. As the market leader in Swiss pharmaceutical logistics, Galexis supplies over 1,800 pharmacies and drugstores and has a strong presence in both German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. Galenica pursues the goal of improving health and quality of life through innovative solutions along the entire healthcare value chain. The company has set itself binding sustainability targets for the period up to 2030.
Goal
Triggered by the reporting obligation for listed companies, Galenica wanted to accelerate its ESG transformation. The company was looking for a strategic partner who could provide both specialist support in various ESG areas and a collaborative team set-up for long-term, cross-project cooperation. The aim was to anchor ESG in day-to-day work at all levels of the company and to strengthen internal know-how, utilize synergies and at the same time expand it with external expertise. At the end of the selection process, Galenica chose Sustainserv as its strategic implementation partner.
Our approach: holistic and in partnership
We support our client as a strategic sustainability partner with a holistic approach. Our role encompasses both the external perspective – for example through market analyses, peer benchmarking and guidance in the regulatory environment – as well as close collaboration within the company. We are integrated into existing structures and processes and act as a reliable point of contact for technical queries and strategic considerations.
Our aim is not only to provide operational support, but also to strengthen the organization in its further development. We attach particular importance to Galenica being able to develop sustainability issues independently and anchor them in the long term. The result is a collaboration that enables transformation and creates real added value.
Results
Strategic anchoring and governance
- Successful integration of ESG aspects into strategic business decisions through continuous support
- Support with target definitions for ESG areas
- Development of internal ESG expertise through systematic knowledge transfer
- Implementation of the materiality analysis
Climate management and science-based targets
- First full TCFD-compliant climate report in non-financial reporting in 2024
- Implementation of a systematic physical risk assessment using science-based climate models
- Planned validation of science-based targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement by the end of 2025
Reporting and transparency
- Full compliance with Swiss reporting requirements for listed companies
- Calculation of the CO2-balance, incl. full Scope 3 screening for the first time in 2024
- Support for structured disclosure of climate-related information to CDP
Integrated partnership approach
- Seamless integration as a strategic partner in the Sustainability Committee, enabling efficient decision-making and synergies
- Successful coordination between different departments and stakeholders
- Development of a long-term sustainability roadmap with clear milestones
“With its support, Sustainserv has made a decisive contribution to firmly anchoring sustainabili-ty in Galenica’s corporate strategy – not as an add-on, but as a basic attitude. Thanks to Sustain-serv’s support, we are always informed about the latest trends and progress in the area of sustainability and can respond to them in a timely manner.”
Jürg Pauli, Chief Sustainability, Public Affairs & Transformation Officer, Galenica
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