The Optima Group’s Pharma business unit is expanding its service presence in the U.S. with the opening of a new service hub in Knightdale near Raleigh, NC that will triple service personnel between 2019 and the end of 2022. The service hub will offer comprehensive services, systems’ sales and spare parts, along with training. Optima aims to expand capacity to meet the needs of pharma customers.
 
The service hub in Knightdale is located in Research Triangle, where many Optima Pharma customers are located. “The COVID-19 pandemic has once again demonstrated how important local support is,” said Gerhard Breu, Chairman of the Optima Pharma Division.
 
“The new service hub will bring us even closer to our customers and allows us to provide faster service along with enhanced spare parts availability,” adds Ulrich Unterriker, Managing Director of the Optima Machinery Corporation in Green Bay, WI. Experienced engineer, Doug Nash will be overseeing operations within the new service hub. Nash studied electrical engineering and has 20 years of experience as a maintenance engineer in filling and packaging companies within a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals.
 
“By expanding our service presence in the U.S., we are continuing to optimize the availability of our customers’ machines and systems,” said Holger Burgermeister, Director Service at Optima Pharma. 
 
Optima Pharma, working in cooperation with Optima’s Green Bay office will provide both remote and on-site customer support from the new service hub. Comprehensive services offered will include maintenance, modifications, qualification of pharmaceutical systems, and the training of operating personnel. Spare parts will be stored at the site to ensure system availability at all times.
 
Optima has had a subsidiary in Green Bay, WI for almost 40 years. In 2017, the site expanded by 1,200 square meters. In total, over 50 sales and service staff provide on-site support to Optima’s American customers in the pharmaceutical sector.