Saudi’s Alpha Pharma and SAP sign deal for digital transformation partnership

Alpha Pharma, a pharmaceutical manufacturer in Saudi Arabia and a part of the healthcare distributor Cigalah healthcare company, has inked a partnership with SAP to enable its digital transformation as part of a wider business strategy.

The new partnership aims to streamline the manufacturer’s operations in finance, supply chain, logistics, production, and HR, a statement said.

The manufacturer also plans to deploy solutions including SAP S/4HANA, SuccessFactor, private cloud and the core offering of Rise with SAP to centralise and streamline a number of key business functions.

Commenting on the partnership, Murad Al-Saggaf, general manager, Alpha Pharma, said: “Just as technology plays a significant role in our nation’s Vision 2030, Alpha Pharma recognises the cost efficiencies and organisational agility that can be achieved through digital transformation. SAP’s demonstrated expertise and knowledge of Saudi Arabia make them an ideal partner for Alpha Pharma on this organisation-wide journey.”

Mohammed Alromaizan, SAP Saudi Arabia vice president, said: “We have previously successfully implemented business solutions for global healthcare and pharmaceutical brands which have given us greater insight into Alpha Pharma’s digital transformation potential. In addition to the partnership, this signing also helps SAP further strengthen our presence in the kingdom’s pharmaceutical sector.”

Established in 2017, Alpha Pharma is a subsidiary of Cigalah healthcare company with a direct investment of SAR296m. The pharmaceutical plant can produce up to one billion tablets, 300 million capsules and 30 million bottles of syrups and suspensions per year.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, SAP appointed Emmanuel Raptopoulos as the new president of its EMEA South region. This comprises Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Raptopoulos, who is based in Milan, succeeds Claudio Muruzabal, who was promoted to president of SAP’s global Cloud Success Services organisation. This newly established organisation unites a driving force of over 20,000 of the entire company’s workforce to bring new services offerings to market.

Read: SAP names Emmanuel Raptopoulos regional president of EMEA South

Raptopoulos has over 20 years of experience at SAP in leadership roles in general management, sales, operations and consulting in both Europe and the Middle East.