About us

History & Heritage

About us History & Heritage

Company history

2019

In focus: Sustainable energy supply

Vetter reached another important milestone concerning sustainability: Since mid-2019, all German sites have been exclusively powered by CO2-neutral electricity from verifiably renewable energy sources. This achievement highlights our commitment to climate and environmental protection as an important element of our responsible corporate governance.

2018

Winner of the Facility of the Year Award 2018

Vetter has won the renowned Facility the the Year Award (FOYA) in the category "Facility of the Future“ for its Center for Visual Inspection and Logistics. The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) was impressed by the intelligent combination of location design, state-of-the-art technologies and innovative processes.

2017

Opening of a new branch office in South Korea

The establishment of its own local branch office in South Korea underlines Vetter’s commitment to the Asia Pacific market. With the new footprint, Vetter will be better positioned to support its existing South Korean business as well as that of new local and global customers, helping them to meet stringent development, manufacturing and packaging requirements of their injectable drugs.

2016

New multi-functional building for Development Service and IT

Growing customer demand for support in drug development as well as the need for enhanced IT systems has created the need for expansion of the Ravensbug Schuetzenstrasse building.

2015

Vetters Presence in Japan, Tokyo

In October 2015, Vetter opened a new business entity in Tokyo, Japan. The new office underlines the importance of Japan for Vetter’s business activities. As the second largest pharmaceutical single market, Japan is home to a number of leading global companies which offer a promising injectable pipeline. As such, the new office will support customer relations and aid in the development of new business within Japan.

2014

Opening of Representative Office in Singapore

In November 2014, Vetter opened an office in Singapore to increase its presence and to take advantage of the rapidly growing Asian healthcare market. The new office will support customer relations and the development of new business.

2013

First product transfer from Skokie to Ravensburg

This year marks the first of many product transfers from the US to Germany for market production, offering further proof of our range of clinical and commercial manufacturing services from a single source.

2012

Commissioning of site in Erlen

In May 2012, Vetter puts the centre for visual inspection and logistics into operation. With the site at Erlen, the company offers even higher quality standards as well as more efficient and safer supply-chain processes. Along with optimized operations, the site uses a variety of renewable power sources including photovoltaic and biogas energies. Thus, Erlen is an investment in the future in many respects.

2011

Opening of production site in Skokie

The first US production site, which is an expansion of Vetter Development Service begins operations at the Illinois Science Technology Park in Skokie, Illinois. With the new facility, the company expands its services for early clinical development. An advantage for North American customers: now, Vetter locally supports the early phases with the aseptic filling of vials, syringes and cartridges according to cGMP standards.

2010

Sales office moves to Skokie

In August 2010, Vetter relocated its North American sales office from Yardley, Pennsylvania to Chicago, Illinois. The company settles its sales subsidiary in the suburb of Skokie, where the first US production site for early development comes into being. Short commutes and a faster and more direct exchange of information strengthen the partnership with local customers.

2009

Vetter continues to grow

On April 1, Vetter combined its sales and marketing activities under the subsidiary Vetter Pharma International GmbH, to strengthen Vetter Pharma-Fertigung’s position in the international marketplace. In the fall, Vetter inaugurated its Ravensburg Vetter South site, including its new secondary packaging facility, VSP.

2000

Repositioning as a full-service provider

Vetter evolves into a full-service provider for its international customers. This new orientation includes expansion of existing facilities and the building of new ones, like Ravensburg Vetter Sued (RVS), as well as investments in the latest technology and quality assurance systems.

1990

Innovation and automation

1990 marks the market introduction of the Vetter Lyo-Ject® dual-chamber prefilled syringe. Two years later, Vetter uses robots in the aseptic production process for the first time ever, thereby setting a high standard of quality in the manufacture of injected drugs. As of 1996, production of the Vetter Lyo-Ject® dual chamber syringe is fully automated at the new manufacturing facility in Langenargen.

1984

The prefilled syringe

Vetter Pharma-Turm Inc. is founded in New Jersey, USA, evidence of Vetter’s international strategic orientation. In 1984 the prototype for the dual-chamber syringe Vetter Lyo-Ject® is presented worldwide.

1970

The step towards aseptic production

The company begins sealing in particle-reduced rooms. Helmut Vetter develops the idea of the prefilled syringe, which becomes the focus of the manufacturing portfolio in the late 70s.

1965

Innovative packaging methods

During the 1960s, quality in packaging pharmaceuticals became increasingly important. Helmut Vetter enlarges contract blister packaging and manufacturing of drugs.

1958

Entrepreneur and pharmacy owner

Helmut Vetter develops the Ullus® stomach medicine, which is sold even in the USA. In 1958, he purchases his own pharmacy on Marienplatz in Ravensburg.

1945

Licensed as a pharmacist

Honorary Senator and pharmacist Helmut Vetter (1920-1999) founds the “Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Laboratorium Ravensburg GmbH,” which comprises a school for lab technicians and a drug production facility in addition to a laboratory.