Dr. Max’s investment plan for this year follows previous projects from 2021 to 2025 that totaled EUR300 million in the local market, according to data provided by Dr. Max representatives.
“These investments are designed with a focus on consolidation and efficiency, adapted to the more challenging market context. The first priority is to expand and automate our logistics capacity,” said Cezar Zaharia, CEO of Dr. Max Romania, in a response to the „ZF Top 1,000” yearbook of Romania’s largest companies.
“We plan to open a new warehouse in Cluj-Napoca, with an area of over 10,000 square meters and a high degree of automation, similar to the standards already implemented in our network. At the same time, we plan to expand the e-commerce warehouse in terms of both floor space and automation.”
The warehouse in Cluj will be the sixth opened by the pharmaceutical group in recent years, during which time the logistics network has expanded, with certain facilities being relocated to larger premises.
“The second area (of investment – ed.) is increasing operational efficiency and the level of automation across all areas of the company – warehouses, pharmacies, and support functions. We continue to invest in new IT systems, in optimizing existing ones, and in equipment that reduces manual labor and contributes to a more efficient use of resources, with a focus on cost control and productivity.”
Over the past five years, during which Dr. Max has invested more than EUR300 million in the local market, the group’s pharmacy network has expanded by approximately 250 new locations, primarily through acquisitions. There were approximately 700–750 pharmacies in 2020–2021 and currently there are nearly 1,000 locations.
In 2020, Dr. Max replaced the Sensiblu brand with its own as part of a comprehensive rebranding process, and in 2022 it launched a hyperpharmacy concept, with locations developed in large spaces exceeding 1,000 square meters.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)