The investment will create 100 new jobs in the eastern city.Continue reading
Despite a general slowdown in the machinery industry, the pharmaceutical machinery sector continues to grow, with a 6–7% annual increase expected through 2026. This trend is mirrored in Hungary, where a 14 million euro investment in Debrecen (eastern Hungary) is set to strengthen the domestic pharmaceutical machinery industry, Világgazdaság reports.
The global pharmaceutical market has experienced rapid growth since the early 2000s, reaching a value of 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. According to a study commissioned by the Hungarian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (MAGYOSZ), although the COVID-driven surge has subsided, long-term factors such as an aging population, recurring health crises, and increasing demand for new products continue to drive the pharmaceutical and related machinery sectors. Forecasts suggest an average annual growth of 5.3% in pharmaceutical machinery through 2026, while oncology products may grow by 11% annually until 2032.
Within this expanding market, Hungary’s pharmaceutical industry holds a strong position. In 2023, the sector generated 1,700 billion forints (4.2 billion euros) in sales, with 82% of production exported. Hungary ranks 20th in global pharmaceutical exports and an impressive 12th in per capita terms, KSH (Hungarian Statistical Office) data shows.
The recent investment in Debrecen is a key development in Hungary.
German company Harro Höfliger acquired the Manz plant in the city for eight million euros, and plans to invest an additional 14 million euros by 2026.
The plant will manufacture fully assembled machines tailored to the needs of global pharmaceutical clients. According to Csaba Juhász, managing director of Harro Höfliger Hungary,
10 million euros worth of development will be completed this year, with the remaining four million euros allocated to technological upgrades in 2026.
The expansion will also double the plant’s workforce. Although the target of 450–500 employees is expected to be reached by the end of 2027, recruiting qualified staff remains a challenge due to the specialized skills required in pharmaceutical machinery manufacturing. To address this, Harro Höfliger has partnered with the University of Debrecen to support education and training efforts. The company views knowledge transfer as a priority in developing its team.
Additionally, Harro Höfliger aims to integrate the Debrecen facility into its global research and development network. The company already works closely with multinational pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and sees long-term potential in linking Debrecen’s production and R&D capacities to broader innovation efforts within the industry.
Via Világgazdaság, Featured image: Pixabay
