A family business that spans generations.

Pharmavertrieb originated from the thriving business of the Hirsch Apotheke Lörrach. Even today, Pharmavertrieb cooperates closely with Hirsch Apotheke. Initially, business focused on exporting medicinal products, particularly to Switzerland. Later, importing medicinal products was also started, in accord with § 73.3 AMG. The first company name was Pharmavertrieb Apothekerin Christine Heinze.

Hirsch Apotheke was one of the first pharmacies in Südbaden that converted its entire merchandise management to a computer-aided POS (Point of Sale) system, and then continually maintained that system. Pharmavertrieb has profited from that investment up to this day because many work-steps could be simplified and made easier as a result.

Thriving company growth necessitated relocation to a larger facility. Thus, the search began for a new location. And a place was found – almost next-door – at Grabenstraße 16. A short time thereafter, the business was moved into larger and brighter rooms. In the meantime, the former building complex has been completely razed and recently replaced by Chesterplatz with its new apartments, cafés, and shops. During the same year, the existing import quota was increased by purchasing an international company. Accordingly, our reputation and visibility grew as a pharmaceutical importer operating in accord with § 73.3 AMG.

The company was converted into a GmbH during the middle of 1990. Since then the company name has been changed to Pharmavertrieb Heinze GmbH. GmbH shares are owned by Christine Heinze and Klaus Heinze. Mr. Klaus Heinze is Assistant Managing Director, and he is also owner of Hirsch Apotheke Lörrach. Both owners are pharmacists and have comprehensive expertise within the area of pharmaceutics.

At the end of 1992, Pharmavertrieb had almost the same number of employees as today – about 40 persons – and this was the decisive factor that forced the company to relocate to considerably larger quarters in the Mauerstraße. When making the decision about this location, quick access to the city, to the motorway and to Switzerland was a decisive factor.

All procedures in Pharmavertrieb Heinze operations are executed according to a fixed system of standards, and therefore consistent quality is guaranteed for all processing and services. We also continue to work with the assistance of quality management in order to improve procedures and to be able to take customer requests into consideration.

As the result of new legislation, it has been necessary to apply for a new wholesale permit to sell pharmaceuticals. The permit was granted by the Freiburg Regional Council in May.

ACQUISITION OF ORASAN GMBH PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORT COMPANY

In February, we acquired the international import operations of the Orasan Berlin pharmacy.

In order to further expand our service for Swiss customers, we created an online shop. After a few months, the shop was put into operation on 01.01.2006. The customer can find all information and news about the different products on the German market.

Since 01.01.2009, Mrs. Kirsten Heinze-Hastenteufel, graduate in business administration (BA), has also been part of the management of Pharmavertrieb Heinze GmbH. The next generation is moving into our family business to ensure the continued existence of Pharmavertrieb Heinze in its proven manner and to lead it successfully into the future.

WHAT DOES NOT FIT IS MADE TO FIT

Since we are in the fortunate position that more and more customers are placing their trust in us, we need more space.In 2009, we will start the big reconstruction. We expand by 100 square metres, renovate, equip the whole company with air conditioning, create new workplaces and much more. All this takes time. But we want our employees to work in as pleasant an atmosphere as possible, where there is room for balance and ideas, so that we can offer our customers the best possible service.

The conversion and renovation are completed for the time being. We have expanded by more than 100 square metres. We have painted the rooms, laid new carpet and equipped them with air conditioning to make working more comfortable. We have also equipped our straightening stations with new electrically height-adjustable tables so that each workstation can be adapted to the individual wishes of the employees. There is now also a separate place to handle all customer enquiries undisturbed. The newly added square metres now house the foreign goods receiving department, the German straightening department, the German shipping department and the returns processing department. The shipping department has also been redesigned to cope with the ever-increasing number of parcels. In order to provide the employees with a nicer and more relaxing break, we have renovated the break room and provided it with new furniture.

After more than 35 years as the owner of the Hirsch Apotheke, Mr Heinze retired on 31.12.2010 and leased out the Hirsch Apotheke. This has entailed major changes, as the two companies had been run by Mr. and Mrs. Heinze until then and had worked very closely together. But even with a new tenant, the partnership between the two companies remains. We are pleased because Mr. Heinze has not completely retired. Since 01.01.2011 he has strengthened the team of Pharmavertrieb Heinze.

As the pharmaceutical sales department has continued to grow in recent years, the premises in Mauerstrasse have become too small and we have decided to build. After a 2-year planning and construction phase, the time has finally come and we are moving into brand new, light-flooded, twice as large, modern and friendly rooms.

From now on you will find us at Georges-Köhler-Str. 1.