Pfizer Group relocates a distribution center from Belgium to Romania

By Emea Riga
The American pharmaceutical group Pfizer is going to lay off 15% of the staff of its distribution center in Zaventem (Belgium), and part of the activities of this center will be relocated to Romania, informs the daily La Libre Belgique, according to Agerpres.
According to union representitives, about 388 of Pfizer’s 238 employees at its distribution center in Zaventem, Belgium, would lose their jobs. The reason advanced by the company’s management would be the relocation of the supply planning service to Bucharest (Romania).
The unions are shocked by this announcement made by Pfizer, one of the major producers of vaccines against COVID-19, in the midst of a pandemic.
“The use of redundancies in the current healthcare context is a slap in the face for all Pfizer employees who are working for the company’s success and who, among other things, contribute to the production of vaccines against COVID-19,” said Michel Barbuto, CNE union representative.
In reply, the company’s management talks about optimizing the organization. “We are constantly trying to optimize the organization of the global supply chain. We are currently exploring options that will allow us to better centralize our resources, improve process efficiency, while continuing to provide the best services. This could translate into by redeploying a number of supply chain functions across our extensive network, “said a Pfizer spokesman.
The American pharmaceutical group Pfizer currently has about 2,500 employees in Belgium, spread over four locations: Anderlecht (clinical research center), Ixelles (administrative and commercial headquarters), Puurs (production center) and Zaventem (distribution center).