The “explosives” site at Gamsen in the Upper Valais produces more than just explosives. For more than four decades, the SSE Group has also been a successful player in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector through its Valsynthese business unit. This sector has recently experienced strong growth within the Group. CEO Max Lauwiner talks to us about the company’s activities and development.
Max Lauwiner, after many years at the helm of Lonza, you have been CEO of Valsynthese for almost three years. What is your personal assessment? What has been your biggest challenge?
It’s been an intense and exciting three years. We have developed Valsynthese with a great team and prepared it for the future. I’m very proud of our employees! The biggest challenge? It’s a balancing act to remain competitive in a global market under pressure, while maintaining our local values and roots in the region. This requires a constant drive for innovation, a deep understanding of customer needs and a dedicated team willing to go the extra mile. The journey is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding!
Valsynthese is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO). What exactly does it do?
We’re an innovation workshop. Our customers bring us ideas for new chemical or pharmaceutical substances, and we develop them. From development to production, we provide tailor-made solutions that are ultimately marketed as products. In short, we develop and produce for our customers what they cannot or do not want to produce themselves.
The company was founded more than 40 years ago and is part of the SSE Group. How important is this pillar of the pharmaceutical and chemical sector for the group?
Valsynthese is a key part of the SSE Group. As a specialist CDMO in the fast-growing, highly regulated fine chemicals market, the company provides the Group with diversification, stability and growth prospects. The focus is on customised solutions. Our expertise in handling demanding chemical processes makes us an important pillar within the Group. The market is growing fast and we’re keeping pace thanks to our expertise in complex projects.
Are Valsynthese’s customers mainly (located) in Switzerland or do they come from all over the world?
Definitely worldwide. Our customers come from all continents, from Europe to North and South America, Asia and Australia. Our location is an important factor in our success. Swiss quality is and will remain our trademark.
There’s a bit of Valais in the company’s name. How important is the Valais site for the company? Is the canton a good place for business?
We have a soft spot for Valais! Valaisans are pragmatic, reliable, straightforward and have a strong sense of community. They’re exactly the kind of people you need to solve difficult problems in interdisciplinary teams. We also benefit from a strong chemical industry and short commutes. There are challenges everywhere, but the opportunities here are clearly greater. And yes, the Valais is also a prime location for start-ups, which benefit from the proximity of established companies, universities and support programmes.
Who works at Valsynthese? Is it possible to find enough qualified staff despite strong competition on the job market from companies such as Lonza and Arxada?
About 200 people work at the SSE site in Gamsen, where we operate in the civil explosives and fine chemicals sectors and where we can make the most of synergies, for example in purchasing, logistics, engineering and workshops. Valsynthese employs experts in development, production, quality and marketing. Of course, competition is fierce, but we have exciting projects and a dynamic, family working environment.
Are there any special projects or milestones at Valsynthese?
Last year we invested in new technologies and increased the capacity of our reactors. We are in the process of commissioning a new hydrogenation plant, so we are preparing for the future and for our customers. Last year we also launched a sustainability initiative called ‘Resonance’. Resonance has ambitious goals to integrate sustainability into our value chain and further strengthen our commitment to environmental, social and corporate responsibility.
Finally, a quick glimpse into the crystal ball: where will Valsynthese be in five to ten years?
Our goal is clear: we want to be one of the leading players in the CDMO market and the first port of call for technological problems requiring our expertise. Innovative, sustainable, open to cooperation and always listening to the customer. And, of course, we want to continue to make the SSE Group proud to have such a fine chemicals subsidiary.
Source: Wlog