Systech International and Servicepoint have launched a strategic partnership agreement in the serialization business.
In the agreement, automation provider Servicepoint will become Systech’s representative and system integration partner in Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Russia. Systech is a global leader in serialization, track-and-trace, authentication, and engagement. In addition to big pharma, leading companies in crop science, animal health, contract packaging and the food and beverage industries use Systech’s technologies.
Systech and Servicepoint first engaged over a year ago when jointly delivering serialization and automation/integration solutions to a pharmaceutical manufacturing client. This mutual engagement led to a business arrangement whereby both companies will be able to offer enhance solutions and increase their speed of delivery.
“Internationalization, outsourcing, e-tailing and the expansion of international trade zones have created enormous complexities throughout the supply chain and product life cycle. This has resulted in a rapid escalation of global counterfeiting issues, threatening consumer safety like never before,” notes Systech CEO Bob DeJean.
“We’re honored to partner with a global market leader in serialization systems,” comments Chairman of the Board Risto Finne of Servicepoint. “It’s a testament to our 30 years of corporate expertise.”
Servicepoint is one of only five automation suppliers in the European market that provides an all-inclusive production automation solution including planning, installation, testing, and maintenance.
“Our strength lies in our long-term automation experience and a strong knowledge of EU legislation. This allows us to keep pharmaceutical manufacturers up to date on changes in the industry,” says serialization expert Iiro Jantunen of Servicepoint Oy.
The market is growing exponentially. Over the next three years, 15,000 production lines for prescription medication in Europe must be fitted with a serialization system. The European Commission adopted a regulation on October 2, 2015 under which the serialization of prescription medicine packages will become mandatory in all EU countries by 2019.
The partnership agreement also enables cooperation in other industries. In addition to prescription medicine packages, serialization is being introduced to consumer packaged goods companies, among others.
“With the rapid transformation of the global supply chain and the need to authenticate products, the world requires trust, security and efficiency more than ever. Today’s global brands are thinking of long-term strategies beyond machinery and existing processes to safeguard consumers and stakeholders,” comments DeJean.
In the future, baby food packages and spare parts for cars, for instance, may be serialized.
“This could prevent toxic ingredients and counterfeit parts from entering the market, and help avoid unsafe use. In the future, serialization and proof of authenticity could apply to any product,” Jantunen summarizes.
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