The foundation stone of Richter Gedeon Nyrt.’s new head office building was laid on Tuesday in Budapest. The 17,400 square meter complex is scheduled to be completed by December 2023, with a total investment cost of HUF 15 billion (almost 40.5 million euros).
Richter has now become one of the largest and most innovative companies in the Central European region, said Minister of Finance Mihály Varga at the announcement of the investment, who also stressed that the new center symbolizes not only the company’s successes to date, but also its commitment to development and progress.
Mihály Varga recalled that at the outbreak of the First World War, Richter had 24 pharmaceutical plants, and by the Second World War the company was selling on five continents, had 10 subsidiaries and a consignment warehouse in 34 countries. Varga pointed out that despite the storms of history, the company, once known as the “pharmacy factory” by locals, has become one of the most successful large Hungarian companies, with its headquarters and management based in Hungary.
Erik Bogsch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Richter, said that after the regime change, the company’s primary task was to regain its competitiveness. Investments in operations and production are now a priority, but renovating the old office building would have been more expensive than building a new one, which is why the decision was made to invest. He also pointed out that Richter’s trading balance last year was positive, which they would like to maintain in the coming years.
Erik Bogsch. Photo by Tibor Illyés/MTI
Gábor Orbán, CEO of Richter, said that the new expansion of the site proves that the values of the founder of the pharmaceutical company, who was born 150 years ago, are of lasting value. It has enabled the company to be successful for 120 years and to constantly innovate. He stressed that innovation and a modern environment are not enough for continued success- it needs to be filled with people.
Gábor Orbán. Photo by Tibor Illyés/MTI
Therefore, Orbán said, that when designing the new building, the primary consideration was to create innovative spaces that encourage collaboration, and as a responsible pharmaceutical company, they must also focus not only on efficiency but also on the needs of future generations, which is why they are creating a sustainable building. He cited the use of recycled building materials and the fact that the building will be powered by environmentally friendly cooling and heating systems that use the heat of the ground.
The new six-story office complex will accommodate 420 office staff, including a 120-seat split-level event hall. The underground car park will provide 74 parking spaces and 60 bicycle parking spaces, while 10 electric car charging stations will be installed above ground.
Featured image: Minister of Finance Mihály Varga (in front, on the right) and Gábor Orbán, CEO of Richter Gedeon Plc. place the foundation stone at the ground-breaking ceremony of the new headquarters of Richter Gedeon Plc. in the X district of the capital, on Gyömrői út, on March 22, 2022. Photo by Tibor Illyés/MTI
