Boehringer Ingelheim plans the future with a mission to make a difference

“Improving animal health is the most important factor affecting the future of public health”

According to Waleed El Mashak, Turkiye has a suitable environment and potential for sustainable growth and innovation.

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the strong players in the global animal health sector. What factors have enabled Boehringer Ingelheim to succeed in such a challenging region, specifically in IMETA?

“As Boehringer Ingelheim, we focus on deep understanding of local markets, collaborations and innovations in the field of health in a diverse and complex region like IMETA. To be successful in such a region, it is important to have the agility required to operate in various markets, to work closely with local stakeholders and to continuously invest in disease prevention and animal welfare. By adapting our strategies to regional needs, we can offer effective solutions and support to improve animal health across IMETA.”

How do Boehringer Ingelheim’s animal health products contribute to the one health concept in the region? Why are these products important for public health?

“At Boehringer Ingelheim, we recognize that the lives of animals and people are deeply and intricately interconnected. We believe that when animals are healthy, people are healthier. We leverage the synergy between our Animal Health and Human Health businesses to create value through innovation, improving the health and well-being of both animals and people. We are among the largest suppliers of vaccines, antiparasitics and pharmaceuticals. Boehringer Ingelheim is a family company. As members of this family, we adhere to our corporate values while taking a long-term perspective. As animal lovers, we come to work every day to improve the lives of animals at home, on the farm or sometimes in nature.”

As in the rest of the world, the pet health sector is growing strongly in the IMETA region. What is Boehringer Ingelheim’s role in this development?

“Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to advancing pet health in the IMETA region by providing high-quality, science-backed, evidence-based solutions to the evolving needs of pets and pet parents. As more and more people in the region take pets into their homes, we are leading the growth of veterinary services with effective vaccines, antiparasitics and special treatments that improve pet health and well-being. By emphasizing preventive care, we help reduce the risk of disease, help pets live healthier lives and encourage responsible pet parenting. We also actively collaborate with veterinarians, pet parents and local stakeholders to raise awareness about pet health and build a connected and informed pet care community that strengthens the entire industry.”

Turkiye is one of the strongest markets in the IMETA region. Can you tell us about the importance of the country? What is the future of the animal health sector in Turkiye?

“Turkiye is a major and rapidly developing market, making it one of the cornerstones of the IMETA region for Boehringer Ingelheim. The increasing demand for animal health products, especially in the poultry and pet segments, indicates significant potential. The future of animal health in Turkiye is promising because awareness of pet care is increasing, while there is a strong emphasis on efficiency and disease prevention in poultry farming. Therefore, the country has a suitable environment for sustainable growth and innovation.”

“We are a company that is growing rapidly and confidently in the Turkish animal health market”

Przemyslaw Zieliński says that one of the key elements of this success they have achieved in the Turkish animal health market is their belief in team spirit.

What can you say about Boehringer Ingelheim’s current position in the Animal Health sector in Turkiye?

“As a leading company in the field of animal health, we believe that human and animal health are deeply interconnected. With this understanding, we focus on sustainable work that will make a difference for people, animals and society.

With these works, we aim to consolidate our leadership position and expand its scope. The animal health market in Turkiye grew by 55 percent in 2023. Boehringer Ingelheim Turkiye became the fastest growing company in the market with 108 percent.

Today, pet ownership continues to increase. Pet owners do everything they can to protect their beloved friends from diseases, ensure that their diseases are treated, and improve their quality of life. In this way, the average lifespan of pets increases while their medical needs increase.

Farmers and breeders need support to raise sustainable and financially viable, healthy animals. While protein demand is increasing in many parts of the world, consumers' expectations regarding food safety are also rising. We need to ensure that consumers believe that healthy, sustainable, and affordable food comes to their tables.

On the other hand, the risks of zoonotic diseases continue to increase every day. The development of new approaches to control such highly contagious diseases, especially in livestock, is becoming increasingly critical.”

Since you became the manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Turkiye Animal Health Unit, you have mentioned teamwork in all the interviews you have given. Can we read this as the trust you have in your team?

”We support our colleagues in discovering themselves and guide them to set and achieve the right goals in their career journeys. We offer various trainings and programs to support their passion and motivation. As a family company, we want our employees to establish a healthy work-life balance. It is very important for us that our colleagues spend time in their private lives and acquire new competencies and develop themselves.

I trust my team because we have managed to establish a healthy relationship. We value each other very much and we constantly strive to further develop our relationship. Thanks to this commitment and the psychological trust it provides, we, as the Boehringer Ingelheim family, can fully devote ourselves to the needs of our valuable stakeholders.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Turkiye Animal Health Unit accelerated its rise in these areas by launching new products (for pets, ruminants, poultry) and investing in animal health. What were the critical points of this rise?

“At Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, we work on groundbreaking innovations to predict, prevent and treat diseases. We have a global innovation network consisting of 17 R&D centers worldwide, one of which is specifically focused on animal health. In these centers, we focus on the development of innovative vaccines for the protection of livestock and pets, and the research of new treatments for chronic or parasitic diseases.

These factors contribute greatly to our rise in the animal health sector in Turkiye. There are still unmet medical needs in the animal health sector. We continue our work with the mission of providing solutions to these needs.”

What are Boehringer Ingelheim's short- and long-term goals for the Animal Health sector in Turkiye?

“We offer a broad and innovative portfolio of products and services to veterinarians, pet owners, farmers and all our stakeholders to ensure that pets and livestock live healthy lives.

As Boehringer Ingelheim, we are a world leader in Animal Health and aim to transform lives for generations. We are in a unique position with this long-term perspective. Our mission to make a difference for people, animals and society also gives us responsibility. The stakeholders and animals we serve motivate us to constantly innovate and provide access to our products and services. We aim to be recognized as a preferred partner and expert in this common journey.”