© VCI/Darchinger – from left to right: Kurt Bock, outgoing VCI President; Nils Wirth, staff member at the Social Enterprise Department; Christine Gabler, Coordinator of the Social Enterprise Department; Dr. Christian Matschke, Member of the BERLIN-CHEMIE AG Executive Board
 

Ludwigshafen, Germany, 27th September 2018 – BERLIN-CHEMIE AG today was honoured with the "Responsible Care® 2018" prize by the Association of the Chemical Industry (VCI) for its sustainable social commitment. The Responsible Care® competition is part of "Chemie3", the sector's sustainability initiative.

Sustainable economic, ecological and social development is being pursued under this year's banner of "Our Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)". Because of the large range of projects submitted, the jury, made up of independent experts, agreed to award three equivalent first prizes for the first time. BERLIN-CHEMIE AG secured one of the first places with its Social Enterprise Department.

The company's dedicated Social Enterprise Department celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It was formed in 1978 and initially looked after seven mentally handicapped employees. The figure today is 30 staff, who are overseen by four welfare workers. Through the expert care provided as well as a large number of events and activities, the Social Enterprise Department has established itself not only as purely a place of work but has also developed to become the centre of social contacts, culture and communication for many members of staff. The department is completely integrated in the company and has many interfaces to other areas.

Over the course of the years, the Social Enterprise Department has grown steadily and was located at several points on the company's site in Berlin-Adlershof. It has now had a new purpose-built home since April 2016, which is dominated by large, bright rooms, ergonomically arranged workstations and a generously proportioned break room looking out onto a thriving garden.

"We at BERLIN-CHEMIE are very proud of this sustainable investment in our staff and our ongoing social commitment, which is unique for Berlin," said Dr. Reinhard Uppenkamp, Chief Executive Officer of BERLIN-CHEMIE AG. "It is not least the long years of service of most employees that speak for this notion of inclusion having been successfully realised," he added.

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About BERLIN-CHEMIE AG

BERLIN-CHEMIE AG is a subsidiary of the MENARINI Group, the leading pharmaceutical company in Italy with an annual revenue of more than 3.6 billion euros and more than 17,000 employees worldwide. This puts the Group in 13th place out of 5,345 companies in Europe and 36th out of 21,587 companies worldwide (Source: IQVIA). The MENARINI Group has always pursued two strategic goals with research & development and internationalisation and its products are present in the most important therapeutic areas including cardiology, gastroenterology, pneumology, infectious diseases, diabetology, anti-inflammatory agents, and analgesics. With 16 production sites and 6 research and development centers, the MENARINI Group has a strong market presence throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Central and South America. MENARINI products are available in more than 130 countries worldwide. For further information:  http://www.menarini.com