Yvan Liard: “Today, We Manufacture for the World”

CordenPharma’s site in Villars-sur-Glâne is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Founded in 1966 under the name Cooper, it has evolved over the decades, from Galenica to Vifor Pharma, before being acquired by CordenPharma in 2022. Yvan Liard joined the site in 2011 and has been at its helm since 2016, overseeing a significant part of its transformation and international expansion. He reflects on the changes reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, the importance of human capital, and Fribourg’s strengths in an increasingly global market.

CordenPharma is celebrating 60 years in Villars-sur-Glâne this year. How do you look back on the journey so far?

When I look back on these 60 years, what I see above all is a human story. Equipment evolves, technology advances, and markets change. But what has truly made the difference are the women and men who have helped make this site what it is today. To me, this anniversary is a celebration of how far we have come, but also an opportunity to look ahead to the next 60 years. We can build on extremely solid foundations and an excellent reputation, both within the Group and among our customers. That gives us every reason to look to the future with optimism.

You have extensive experience in the watchmaking industry. What struck you most when you moved into pharmaceuticals?

In fact, I didn’t experience the move as a major break. In the pharmaceutical industry, I found values that were already very familiar to me: high standards, rigor, attention to detail, and a constant pursuit of excellence. The main difference lies in the purpose of the product. In our industry, we know that our work can have a direct impact on patients’ health and quality of life. That gives our work a particular sense of purpose and responsibility. What also struck me was the industry’s ability to evolve constantly. Quality requirements continue to increase, while customers also expect greater speed, flexibility, and innovation. Successfully balancing these expectations is undoubtedly one of the major challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry today.

More than 90% of your production is now exported. How has the site grown into a global operation?

Just 20 years ago, we were producing primarily for the Swiss market. Today, we manufacture for the world, competing with companies across Europe and the United States. Our business model has fundamentally changed: since joining CordenPharma, we have gone from being a cost center to a profit center. This international expansion requires us to be extremely competitive and agile. The approximately CHF 30 million invested in our new manufacturing facility, which opened in early 2022, marked another major milestone. It enabled us to increase our production capacity and offer our services to customers around the world.

Technology is evolving rapidly. How do you make sure your employees’ skills keep pace?

To grow sustainably, a site like ours cannot invest solely in infrastructure and equipment. It must invest just as much in human capital. New technologies only make sense if we support and train our employees so they can evolve alongside them. This is all the more important because not everyone necessarily comes from the pharmaceutical industry. We need to give people the opportunity to acquire new skills and take the next steps with us. That commitment to training starts with apprenticeships. We also have a social responsibility to give young people the opportunity to discover our professions and receive proper training. This is something I personally care deeply about. Switzerland’s apprenticeship system is extremely well designed, and these young people could also become part of our future workforce.

Basel is the heart of Switzerland’s pharmaceutical industry. What does Fribourg have to offer compared with such an established hub?

We have a site in Ettingen, near Basel, and our operational headquarters are in Basel. Yet it can sometimes be more difficult to find certain types of talent there than in Fribourg. Our canton is not generally seen as a pharmaceutical hub, but we have access to highly skilled professionals here. Fribourg also benefits from an ideal geographic location, a multicultural environment, and excellent infrastructure. On top of that, we have an ecosystem with which we work very closely. Both cantonal and municipal authorities share our commitment to creating long-term value, in a spirit of collaboration that has always been exemplary. Fribourg has a lot going for it, and we can be proud of that. It’s worth saying from time to time!

www.cordenpharma.com