Old-school values and modern practices make Boiron a true industry leader
By Corrina Mosca
While the old adage suggests that the past is something to be put behind us, an understanding of history is often what drives us forward. This is especially true in the world of business; although it is essential for corporations to look ahead whilst navigating their growth plans, some forget the importance of where they came from.
For Boiron, the largest manufacturer of homeopathic medicines in the world, personal history is a catalyst for progress: rather than hindering its success, an appreciation for the past has helped the business to evolve. Filled with immense success, lasting values, and its fair share of obstacles, Boiron’s rich history is a core facet of its current operations.
PAST TENSE
Boiron’s story begins in 1932 in Lyon, France. At this time, twin brothers Jean and Henri Boiron were working for René Baudry, a highly respected homeopathic pharmacist. As this partnership progressed, the brothers noticed an increasing demand in the market for high-quality and reliable homeopathic medicines: something they had the expertise and willpower to provide.
From there, the pair founded Boiron, seeking to manufacture and develop high-quality, homeopathic solutions for health-care practitioners and consumers alike. By the late 1970s, the business had already grown drastically: with several regional French establishments and a facility in Italy, the company had established itself both on the national and international stage.
Then, in 1988, Boiron Canada was opened in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. Just like its European forefathers, this brand-new centre sought to offer an ever-growing line of homeopathic health-care products to the market.
Now, with eighty years of experience under its belt, the company has become the top player in its industry: with 20 subsidiaries across the globe, four production sites, 3600 dedicated employees and a presence in more than 50 countries, Boiron has become nothing short of an empire. However, although the company has grown tremendously since its inception, it still maintains the feeling of a family business—something that few multinational companies are able to accomplish.
“Since its inception, Boiron has remained an independent, family-based pharmaceutical laboratory,” says Daniel Dereser, CEO of Boiron Canada. “Collectively, our team is dedicated to a public health mission through the development of homeopathy around the world.”
OLD IDEALS, MODERN METHODS
Today, Boiron is focused on maintaining its past values, whilst also tailoring them to the modern market. With the birth of a new eco-friendly era, the company has found a need to embrace environmental sustainability in its procedures—without sacrificing product quality.
In order to manage this, Boiron has enacted an extensive manufacturing process. This involves a comprehensive market analysis as well as scientific investigation, which is run through the company’s active research programs.
“The development of new products is research-driven,” notes Dereser. “As such, we utilize the talents of university research teams, homeopathic practitioners, physicians and veterinarians from around the world.”
Once this is complete, the company sources the bulk of its ingredients from local suppliers who share their core value: excellence. When gathering these raw materials, Boiron surrounds itself with qualified, regional professionals and promotes re-supplying wild or organically-farmed plants when possible.
“These standards not only help to ensure the traceability of our ingredients, but are also meant to ensure safe and high-quality products,” explains Dereser. “Furthermore, when collecting plant species for our homeopathic medicines, we work with suppliers who share our objective in optimizing the traceability and sustainability of plant substances.”
This respect for the environment is “at the heart of Boiron’s procurement practices,” adds Dereser. This is evidenced by the company’s compliance with the practices of plant harvesting laid out by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, to maintain these environmental standards across the board, Boiron’s partners and suppliers are also regularly audited for compliance.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
While Boiron has modernized its standards when it comes to its ingredients, some aspects of the business certainly haven’t changed. Although it is now a multinational company, it still maintains close relationships with its employees, consumers, and peers.
Despite its colossal staff of almost 4000 individuals, Boiron still manages to create a close-knit atmosphere in its offices—a sentiment that hearkens back to its roots as a family business.
“It is Boiron’s deep conviction that the key to the performance and the growth of the company depends on the creativity and motivation of its employees,” notes Dereser. “We are keen on developing specific benefits for our employees to enrich their well-being.”
For Dereser, this is well reflected in the company’s Quebec location, where each employee is treated with the utmost respect, individuality and care.
“We strive to create an enjoyable work environment for every employee, and our building in Saint-Bruno is a reflection of that,” he continues. “Its inspiration was derived from the very values we call our own: innovation and professionalism, rigour and passion, as well as performance and pleasure.”
However, Boiron’s care for the individual doesn’t stop at its employees: through its educational initiatives, the company extends unparalleled attention to its clients and industry peers.
“At the heart of our marketing program lies a grassroots strategy to educate health-care practitioners and consumers about homeopathic medicine,” says Dereser. “Additionally, we have developed different training programs for health-care practitioners that are very well received. We also reach out to individuals directly and invite them to discover our products.”
Boiron’s strong web presence absolutely supports this desire to educate others. Through its comprehensive company website and frequent activity on social media, Boiron ensures that both practitioners and consumers have up-to-date information about the organization, its values, and homeopathic medicine in general. Last summer, the company further enhanced its site with a blog called “Healthy Together,” which shares various health and wellness tips with the general public.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Moving forward, the company will continue to keep these old-school values in mind—while also leading the market in innovation.
“We are always looking to innovate, and we are continually working on the development of new products,” says Dereser. “Boiron strives to match the needs of health care practitioners and consumers, as well as to stay on top of market trends.”
Besides creating groundbreaking products, Boiron has also embraced the needs of its contemporary consumers with a foray into the digital market.
“E-commerce is a reflection of the change in the consumer’s behaviour over the last several years,” he continues. “We have adapted to this change, and forged some terrific partnerships with online retailers.”
Boiron has thus carved itself a unique niche in the market—one that other brands simply are unable to fill. With its juxtaposition of classic values and novel ways of conducting business, it has become a brand that consumers past, present, and future may know and trust.
