  |  | 
| | | 
THE WINNING FORMULA
How a family drugstore business rose to became pioneers in health research and development projects, experts in the manufacturing and marketing of medical, beauty-care, baby food and nutritional products, as well as a leading player in the building of an international medical center.
 When Ayman Tamer's grandfather opened Saudi Arabia's first pharmacy 83 years ago it is doubtful whether he could have imagined how his business would be developed by successful generations of his family.
Today the Tamer Group continues to be a significant participant in the healthcare of the Kingdom - not only as a manufacturer and supplier of products and consumer goods, with facilities and resources throughout the Middle East - but also as a contributor in research and development projects.
Tamer's executives say the breadth of the company's experience and the extent of its resources provide opportunities for international companies seeking a competitive advantage to develop business in the region. "Whether you are in healthcare, prestige products or fast-moving consumer goods, Tamer is your ideal partner to achieve your goals," says one senior official.
The group provides comprehensive services in the areas of marketing, sales and distribution, as well as local manufacturing, to many of the world's leading companies through agreements, partnerships and joint ventures. These range from pharmaceutical, medical, health and beauty-care products to baby food, nutritional products, sweeteners and confectionery.
Much of the Tamer Group's success, says Ayman Tamer, the company's president, is the result of it building strategic relationships with the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Novartis, Pfizer, Schering Plough, Sanofi-Aventis, J&J, Roche Diagnostics, Boston Scientific and P&G.
Equally important has been its participation in the ambitious projects underway to enhance healthcare in the Kingdom still further. These include its involvement in the Saudi Arabian Japanese Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Company (SAJA), a joint-venture begun five years ago between Tamer Industries and a consortium of Japanese partners to produce the latest medicines for the Saudi Arabia and Middle East market.
The consortium includes two of the leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies, Sankyo and Astellas. SAJA's state-of-the-art production facility in the Kingdom was designed by senior technicians from both Japanese companies and built to exacting Japanese standards and specifications. "The design of the facility is characterized by an obsession with quality, safety and efficiency in every aspect of the manufacturing process," says Faisal Tamer, president of SAJA.
A second major involvement of the Tamer Group is in the initiative to establish the International Medical Center in Jeddah. This 300-bed, multi-speciality hospital will focus on healthcare services of particular significance to the entire region, such as the treatment of diabetes, musculoskeletal and pediatric complaints. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority hosted a ceremony in February to mark the launch of the IMC project, a joint venture with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, which is a world leader in healthcare services, research and technology.
The IMC will have a cardiac center, diabetes and endocrine center, a women's health center, a musculoskeletal center, a pain management center and centers for cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery. At the heart of the project, in addition to its medical excellence, is a commitment to the principles of "healing by design". This involves providing patients with access to natural settings, sunlight and an atmosphere of tranquility.
The challenge for Dr. Sami Angawi, the lead architect, was to combine the requirements of the latest medical technology and engineering with Islamic design. It will meet international standards of safety while maintaining the region's cultural identity by using local materials and traditional Islamic elements such as muqamas, mosaics and calligraphy. Another significant development, says Ayman Tamer, has been the company's participation in Jeddah BioPharma, a project to establish a specialized plant to research, develop and manufacture new vaccines and sera. It will be situated in the Mecca industrial zone, with the aim hastening the transfer of technology and knowledge to Saudi companies and establishing Jeddah and Saudi Arabia as a focal point for biotech development in the region.
"New attention is being paid, both by the government and the private sector, to the importance of biotechnology and the government is being very supportive both logistically and financially," says Ayman. "Freedom from taxation and long-term loans of up to 50 percent for investment capital are a unique incentive."
back to the top | | | |
 |
