Siemens and GSK Partner to Simplify Automation

Siemens and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have entered a global strategic partnership in which Siemens will become a strategic partner of GSK in manufacturing automation and thus the preferred automation supplier for GSK production and R&D sites worldwide, Siemens announced in a Sept. 8, 2015 press release. 

This new agreement further develops the long-standing successful relationship between both companies and helps GSK to refresh their global automation strategy. “One of our objectives is to simplify and standardize the automation space by identifying a small number of systems and suppliers and this is the first step on our journey to achieving this,” said Dave Tudor, vice-president of primary supply and leader of the Global Automation Steering Team of GSK, in the release.

“Integrated automation and digitalization solutions are important levers for pharmaceutical companies to raise efficiency and productivity whilst ensuring safety and quality,” added Eckard Eberle, CEO of the Siemens business unit Process Automation.

A detailed list of criteria has also been agreed between the two companies to ensure the relationship develops in the right way. These include executive sponsorship on both sides, transparency with bi-directional trust, behaviors that are not just financially driven, a joint determination to succeed, and relationship innovation that adds value. The partnership will provide a focus into process control, equipment control, and building management systems within the manufacturing and R&D pilot plants of GSK. Four main areas have been identified: modular manufacturing, batch sterile facility blueprint, machine and production line optimization, and manufacturing blueprint for different dosage forms.

Source: Siemens