Chanelle are delighted to announce the company’s Managing Director, Michael Burke has won Visionary CEO of the Year in the 2016 Animal Pharm Awards.
Animal Pharm is a reputable worldwide animal health publication that has been providing industry news and insight for over 30 years.
This award is particularly special as it recognises Michael’s contribution to the animal health industry amongst his peers, including CEO’s of the world’s largest animal health companies.
On behalf of the entire team at Chanelle, we would like to congratulate Michael on his remarkable achievements. This award is a wonderful recognition of his hard work and success and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person.
This year’s winner of the award for best chief executive signifies the growing influence of generic treatments in the veterinary medicines space.
Chanelle commented on its leader Michael Burke and his history of innovations: “A veterinary surgeon by profession, in 1983 Michael Burke revolutionized the industry in Ireland to provide a 24-hour delivery service of veterinary medicines. With an instinctive entrepreneurial spirit, he then began to manufacture products coming off patent in 1985 and thus the Chanelle story in generic pharmaceuticals began.
“In an industry where consolidation is rife, Chanelle is a unique company in that it is owned 100% by Michael Burke. Despite over 30 years at the helm of the company, Michael’s commitment and determination has never been compromised and it is therefore unsurprising that the company has grown steadily and organically to become a key player in the generics pharmaceutical market in Europe.
“The past 12 months have been pivotal for Chanelle. Michael has carved a remarkable growth strategy that will see the company launch 75 products over the next five years following a €70 million investment announced in February 2016. As part of the investment, the company will expand its footprint to include two FDA-approved manufacturing facilities on site at its headquarters in Loughrea between 2017 and 2018.
“With sales growth in excess of 30% over the past three years, Chanelle is on track to achieve sales of over €110 million in 2016. Today, the company holds over 1,700 veterinary licenses – the largest of any company in Europe. Chanelle will launch 15 veterinary products in 2017/18, 28 in 2018/19 and 13 in 2019/20.
“A key milestone for the company in 2016 was the launch its first super generic, highly palatable meloxicam granules for horses – a world first for the equine industry.
“This success is undoubtedly a reflection of Michael’s keen leadership and his innate interest in animal health. As a vet, Michael holds an active role in the company’s R&D. His pledge to R&D enables the company to continually invest in product development including the company’s latest strategy to launch nine more super generics within the next five years.
“Michael’s keen foresight and vision have been a key characteristic from the beginning. What is remarkable is Michael’s passion for Chanelle. He lives and breathes the company every single day and is relentless in seeking to improve the company.
“At the heart of Michael’s success is his commitment to his customers and his team. Michael maintains the traditional method of visiting all international customers at least once a year, but often two or three times. At every success Michael credits his staff and his customers and has always said: ‘I don’t pay your wages, our customers do’.
“In Michael’s 30-year-plus tenure, his passion, strength-of-will, industry knowledge and undisputable vision has catapulted Chanelle to become a recognized key player in a notoriously competitive industry. Despite all success, he remains a very humble man and only ever credits his outstanding staff, all 385 of whom he knows by name, for the company’s remarkable success.”
