Romanian veterinary vaccine producer Romvac goes retail with chain of pharmacies

Romanian producer of veterinary vaccines and drugs Romvac plans to expand into the retail market and open its network of veterinary pharmacies, called Pongo All Pets. In a first step it will open four units, three of which will be located within the retail gallerias of Kaufland stores in Slobozia, Campina and Focsani. The fourth will be opened in Ceptura, on the company's own land plot. The investment in the four pharmacies will be of EUR 50,000.

By the end of the year, the company plans to open such pharmacies across the country, while the focus in Bucharest will be on home delivery. The company sells products worth some RON 100,000 – or some EUR 22,000 - per month, in Bucharest alone, according to Constantin Chiurciu, general manager of Romvac.

Last year, the company exported 10 percent of its production, with the most demand for bird vaccines, which were sent to the Republic of Moldova, Albania and Nigeria. Vaccines and drugs for dogs also sell very well in Iraq.

In the first quarter of this year, Romvac posted a turnover of RON 8.5 million or nearly EUR 1.9 million - a 6 percent increase on the first quarter of 2012. Romvac expects higher increases in the second quarter, when most vaccines are administered. The company's sales last year stood at some RON 44 million – or almost EUR 10 million, while its expectation for 2013 is to reach EUR 11.2 million, exceeding the EUR 10 million threshold by some EUR 1.2 million

Romvac, set up in 1974, was privatized via a Management Employee Buyout. Constantin Chiurciu owns the majority of the shares, and the rest is shared by 234 out of the existing 374 employees. Its production unit is in Voluntari, Ilfov county near Bucharest.

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)