Agile, optimised and ready for the future

When a manufacturing business successfully transforms itself, customers and employees benefit from increased efficiency, agility of supply chain planning and asset utilisation. This is the case at Hersol, which has established a future-ready strategy to achieve and exceed its goals for years to come. By Abby Vorster

From rapid advances in technology to ever-increasing consumer demands, every industry, including manufacturing, is trying to stay abreast of the pace of change while reinventing processes for a more sustainable future. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is one of the industries heavily affected by technology advances, with the adoption of emerging technologies essential to improving product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Hersol Manufacturing Laboratories (Hersol) is a contract manufacturer that specialises in developing and producing nutritional supplements and complementary medicines (CAMs). In addition to improving its operational efficiencies, the company has advanced its strategic value and embraced cultural change.

Hersol has extensive high-tech facilities to manufacture and pack most dosage forms including tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, creams, ointments and gels. The company operates a GMP-approved facility in central Johannesburg, South Africa and all products produced on site are manufactured according to pharmaceutical standards and legislation as prescribed by the relevant governing authorities, such as SAHPRA, the SA Pharmacy Council and US FDA.

Did you know?

Hersol’s R&D department is an important contributor of new ideas and concepts, which add value to its customers’ businesses.

A BOOMING MARKET

According to Market Research Future, the global vitamin and mineral supplements market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.70%, reaching $108.14bn by 2025. During the forecast period, the market is poised to achieve significant growth as a result of the increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare. Factors such as changing health conditions, an ageing population and an increased focus wellness have affected market demands.

Experts believe that vitamins, minerals and CAMs are an efficient and affordable solution to improve optimal immune function in consumers to protect them against viruses and diseases. Furthermore, immunity-boosting supplements are popular thanks to the role they play in supporting physical and mental health. These trends have resulted in an everincreasing demand for vitamins, minerals and health supplements, requiring manufacturers to mass produce tonics, tablets, capsules etc. at faster speeds than ever before.

NEW HIGH-SPEED SUITE

Over the years, Hersol has established extensive analytical, manufacturing, packing and warehouse facilities to keep up with rising and changing demands in the market. Its investments in these areas have been ongoing with the most recent being the installation of UPS technology in its fully-equipped analytical laboratory and microbiological laboratory to ensure these facilities are unaffected by loadshedding. Hersol has also acquired new laboratory equipment in the form of an HPLC and FTIR to improve efficiencies in testing and to ensure the quality and consistency of all raw materials and finished products.

The company’s manufacturing plant is home to modern production areas used for granulation, compression, encapsulation and coating, which put the company in the upper ranks of pharmaceutical production in South Africa.

The latest enhancement to Hersol’s manufacturing capacity is a high-speed high-volume production and packing suite, which is currently being built on-site at the Jeppestown plant and is scheduled to be completed by January 2022. The new highspeed suite will ensure that Hersol continues to meet the need for increased volumes in areas where specialised equipment and controlled conditions are required.

As manufacturing remains critically important to job creation and boosting the South African economy, Hersol will continue to invest in its plant and its people to remain competitive. •

Hersol – www.hersol.co.za

LEADERSHIP WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Thanks to its forward-thinking management team, Hersol has taken a future view to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. The contract manufacturer recently made several new appointments to its management team. These employees bring a fresh approach and new energy to the traditional way of doing things. We asked the new faces at Hersol what inspires them to give of their best, daily:

1. The Hersol team is excited and happy that Kevin van Wyngaardt has accepted the appointment of managing director and responsible pharmacist as of 1 March 2021.

He is well suited to the position and brings with him with years of pharmaceutical manufacturing and business experience. His goals and vision to take the company into the future align perfectly with management and the leadership of Hersol. The business has every confidence in Van Wyngaardt’s ability going forward.

2. Vera Terentieva, quality manager: “I have more than 25 years’ experience in quality management and global experience in the pharmaceutical industry. My responsibilities include establishing and maintaining a total quality system encompassing management review, document control, training, customer feedback and complaints, internal audits, process improvement, and corrective/preventative action activities in compliance with cGMP and the latest SAHPRA guidelines. My main goal is to increase quality awareness and the quality mindset across Hersol. I enjoy the teamwork and Hersol’s diversity.

Our quality strategy receives great support from executive management which helps us strive for improvement and customer recognition.

3. Tumelo Langa, production manager: “I have a distinct passion for efficient manufacturing processes, employee motivation and excellent customer service. My primary responsibility is to oversee all manufacturing processes and ensure that all products are manufactured to the highest quality standard. The challenging and yet exciting environment provided by Hersol keeps me on my toes and offers a rewarding job experience and an opportunity to do something new daily. Hersol’s production efficiency and customer service are expected to improve significantly with the company’s investment in the new high speed suite.”

4. Christopher Briscoe, production pharmacist and HOD of compression and granulation: “If I were to describe my most inspirational moment at Hersol, I simply could not isolate one thing. Each day provides me with a different challenge, and each is bigger than the next, yet with the amazing Hersol support system it feels like there is no challenge that cannot be overcome. The most satisfying feeling is finding a solution to a seemingly unsolvable situation.

I am a big believer in growth and development, and I am super excited about the new high-speed suite. This growth will bring Hersol, as a company, into a whole new league of pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

5. Erwin Prozesky, technical associate,R&D and regulatory: “I come from a research background and I have many years’ experience in CAMs quality control, new product development and regulatory requirements. I have an analytical mind and ensure great attention to technical detail. These areas of expertise have come perfectly together in my current role. I am excited to use my technical abilities and CAMs knowledge to make a contribution in ensuring quality new and current products. My passions include R&D, herbal medicine, people’s health and ensuring quality products.