Alkaloid: A Modern Company with a Rich History
Founded for the first time in August 1936, Alkaloid has grown and evolved through many turbulent and challenging decades to become a modern, export-oriented company with almost 3,000 employees today.
Interview with Živko Mukaetov, General Director of Alkaloid
The Region, a magazine based in Belgrade, Serbia, recently interviewed Živko Mukaetov, the general director and president of the board of directors of Alkaloid. The Region focuses on business and politics in the region of Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. Alkaloid is recognized as one of the best companies in the region.
пје, Охридско, започнале со производство на лекови и козметика. Со вработувањето на квалитетни кадри и инвестирањето во нови технологии, компанијата стана еден од најголемите играчи на пазарот во регионот.
Alkaloid
Alkaloid is one of the most well-known companies in North Macedonia, with a tradition that dates back almost nine decades. Built on generations of employees, investments in new products and technologies, capturing new markets, and regional cooperation.
Your company has grown and evolved over the decades, facing challenges and showing that resilience and the ability to adapt to change quickly are crucial in business. Do you agree?
The humble beginnings of Alkaloid date back to August 1936, when they started producing medicines and cosmetics on the outskirts of Skopje, in Ohrid. By hiring quality personnel and investing in new technologies, the company became one of the largest players in the market in the region.
The Evolution of Alkaloid: From Small Workshop to Global Company
Founded in the heart of what was then Yugoslavia, one of the oldest alkaloid processing facilities was opened. Starting with just two workshops and 15 employees, today – 88 years later – Alkaloid sprawls over approximately 80,000 m2 of production space with nearly 3,000 employees at its headquarters in Skopje and 22 subsidiaries in 15 countries worldwide.
A Landmark Investment
Recently completing their largest investment venture in the past two decades, which required a great deal of enthusiasm, knowledge, and capital. Can you tell us more about this facility?
A Turning Point in the Long History?
Alkaloid: Expanding Production Capacities
Alkaloid embarked on a project to expand its production capacities for solid dosage forms and semi-synthetic cephalosporins, which was completed in 2002 with the help of a convertible loan from EBRD/IFC. The company strictly adhered to corporate governance principles throughout the process. After two decades, we decided to further enhance our existing 12,000 m2 production facilities for solid dosage forms by adding an additional 6,200 m2. We invested 19.4 million euros in this expansion, doubling our production volume from two to four billion tablets annually.
Currently, more than 70% of our production is exported, showcasing the company’s commitment to quality and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Expanding Market Reach
Serbia is your largest export market, where you currently place 90% of your pharmaceutical products. Where else are you present?
Collaboration with Multinational Companies
Alkaloid has been collaborating with multinational companies such as Pfizer and Sanofi for the past five decades. In 2005, we established a successful partnership with American companies specializing in herbal products, such as Aveda, Arbonne International, and Swanson. We obtained our first marketing authorization in the EU for Lisinopril in 2007, and today we have over 950 authorizations for our own pharmaceutical products in the EU.
Investments, Innovations, and Following Trends
In today’s fast-paced world of information flow, people do not engage with anonymous products but rather build relationships with brands that embody their own values. To survive in this competitive market, a brand must continuously meet its promises and deliver high and consistent quality.
The Importance of Brand Building
Building a successful brand is not something that happens overnight. It requires time, patience, investment, hard work, and a smart strategy. A brand is not created through a single marketing campaign, but through consistent effort and a clear vision.
Regional Collaboration and Expansion
While North Macedonia may be your home country, having production capacity in Belgrade, a chemical laboratory in Ljubljana, and a corporate legal team in Zagreb demonstrates a wider regional presence. What is your perspective on collaboration within the region and beyond?
As the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of Macedonia and a member of the Young Global Leaders organization, part of the World Economic Forum, I can confidently say that regional collaboration is essential for growth and success. By working together with partners in neighboring countries, businesses can access new markets, share resources, and drive innovation. This kind of collaboration not only benefits individual companies but also contributes to the overall economic development of the region.
The Importance of Regional Synergies for Business Development
It is essential to recognize that regional synergies strengthen businesses in the region and beyond. Not only do they foster an improved business environment overall, but they also help in removing various barriers, contributing to sustainable development. Promoting bilateral relations, shared values, mutual interests, and a common stance on how to keep pace with the world are part of the principles in my honorary roles as Consul General of Denmark and Consul of Norway in North Macedonia, which I have been carrying out since 2007.
3 Years.
The Enduring Legacy of Becutan
It seems like there is not a child in this region who hasn’t grown up with the Becutan brand. Would you agree that this is one of the few brands that, despite competition, has only grown stronger over the years?
When it comes to children’s cosmetics, the market in the region seems saturated. New brands come and go, often failing to deliver on their promises. Our well-known brand, Becutan, celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. From just five products in Becutan’s portfolio at the beginning, today it contains 60 different products with over 100 r ENERATIONS BUILT WITH CARE
The Evolution of a Brand
Over the years, Alkaloid has become a household name, thanks to the dedication and hard work of generations of employees. Our products are developed in collaboration with pediatricians, neonatologists, and dermatologists, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
A Legacy of Quality
Our continuous success and sustainable development are a result of the commitment to excellence that runs through our company. Each individual brand under the Alkaloid umbrella has been carefully crafted and nurtured over the decades, becoming an integral part of people’s lives.
GLOBAL PRESENCE
Expanding our Reach Worldwide
Establishing an export-oriented company based in North Macedonia was no easy feat, but we persevered on that path thanks to our knowledge, skills, and resources. Today, we have a presence on all continents. To succeed in developed countries, one must adhere to the principles of good governance, maintain a high and consistent quality of products and services, and be competitive enough.
New Capacities, New Technologies
Our new production capacities for solid dosage forms are in line with strict quality standards. With the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, we are able to meet the demands of the global market and ensure the highest quality of our products. By continuously investing in innovation, we strive to stay ahead of the competition and provide our customers with the best solutions possible.
Advancements in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
With the implementation of GMP standards, all processes are fully integrated and digitized, with data being generated and collected automatically. This has led to the introduction of new technologies such as dry granulation with roller compactor and bilayer tablets.
