Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe yesterday and today: a story of success and innovation
The Menarini Group has always looked to the future and aimed to expand well beyond national borders since its foundation. Menarini’s presence in Central America saw its beginnings in 1979, when Guatemala was chosen to establish the regional headquarters, which continues to serve as the central hub for operations in neighboring countries.
Over time, Menarini has faced numerous challenges and overcome many obstacles in this region. In recent years, Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe has positioned itself at the top of the pharmaceutical industry, showing a constant commitment to quality and innovation.
The company has primarily focused on the therapeutic areas of cardiovascular health, inflammation, and pain management, while also investing in the training and development of healthcare professionals and social responsibility programs.
Read our article on the history of Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe at this link!
This year, Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe celebrated 45 years of activity.
José Antonio Olivares, General Director of Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe, shared with us insights on the company’s evolution, its current status, and future projects for the Central American region.
Can you tell us about the beginnings of the Menarini Group in Central America? What challenges did you face?
I can still remember with the same enthusiasm the moment when the Menarini Group made the decision to enter the market in Central America, choosing me to lead this ambitious project. In 1979, I set foot for the first time on the American continent to begin the earliest stages of market research, carrying with me dreams and uncertainties, but also enthusiasm, determination, and energy.
The initial situation was complex: Menarini wasn’t well-known in the region, and our resources were limited. We started with a workforce of only three people and, despite daily difficulties, nothing could stop our momentum. I was determined to meet the expectations and goals I’d been entrusted with, and to honor the support I was receiving from Dr. Alberto Sergio Aleotti and the Menarini management in Spain.
How has Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe grown over the years, and what key achievements has it accomplished?
Step by step, Menarini developed an identity of its own, and established itself in the medical community of the region. We consolidated our organizational structure with the inclusion of skilled professionals, transforming Menarini into one of the best pharmaceutical companies in the region, ranked amongst leading positions in the market.
Today, Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe is directly responsible for 855 jobs and for another 100 positions indirectly, in eight countries. With the Área Científica Menarini programme, we have trained over 1,100,000 healthcare professionals and have become a real benchmark in the field of training. We have also consolidated a strong Corporate Social Responsibility programme, helping over 5,000 families in extreme poverty.
Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe has celebrated 45 years of activity. What important life lessons have you learned from this experience?
I’ve seen many people grow professionally and understood that it’s possible to break the mold. I have seen that hard work, combined with vital elements such as enthusiasm, dynamism, perseverance, teamwork, absolute respect for ethical principles and a strong loyalty to our Group, can turn a dream into reality.
The pharmaceutical world is rapidly changing. How does Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe look to the future?
We are adapting to the new challenges of an increasingly digitized and globalized world, seeking original solutions and seizing emerging opportunities with a creative mindset, without losing our Menarini culture and the passion we put into carrying out our projects daily. Our goal is not simply to reach a destination, but to constantly pursue our mission, facing the future with solid foundations thanks to our market-leading products and our strong regional organization.
What do you think is the greatest strength of Menarini Centroamérica y el Caribe?
Nothing we have accomplished would have been possible without the wonderful team of people who have believed in this great project called Menarini.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to each of them for their invaluable dedication. Leading Menarini in this region is a privilege which constantly motivates me and inspires me.