GLAHO SMITH KLINE Italy

The Company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a research-based multinational drug producer established in December 2000 by the merger of Glaxo Wellcome with SmithKline Beecham. With its over 100 thousand dependants, sales of around 34 billion Euros and 7% market share, the Group is the second in the world. The merger also had the production establishments of both Companies mingle together in one organisation called Global Manufacturing & Supply (GMS) that currently manages 91 plants in 38 different Countries and offers direct employment – associate business excluded – to over 39 thousand workers. Italy plays an outstanding strategic role in this vast and complex organisation, with two production plants located respectively at Verona and San Polo di Torrile, in the Province of Parma. The Verona site is dedicated to producing and marketing sterile antibiotic drugs, such as injection cephalosporins worldwide, while the Parma plant’s role is development and worldwide supply of new sterile and lyophilized liquid products.
 Previous Situation
The Customer’s primary need was to be provided with equipment capable of operating continually without product downtimes or slowdowns caused by material losses or leakages as sudden non-programmed production cycle stops can lead to total mix loss. The system was equipped with an electrically powered 200 l/min delivery centrifugal pump operating in immersion to transfer methylene chloride over some 150 metres. The situation also required finding a pump capable of moving the fluid with excess evaporation prevention.
 
 Present Situation
Results were as follows, after a short test period:
• No leaks
• No excess fluid movement
• Mo pressure switch or recirculation valve required as pump balancìng is automatic at top pressure level, with a simpler system
 Advantages
Glaxo SmithKline Italy that uses Aro and works jointly with GL Finishing decade its satisfaction with the choice made as its had found a valid partner to solve its equipment issues and the membrane pump supplied just that reliability level its demanding production stood in need of.