The dual challenge of logistics performance and pharmaceutical quality: a conversation with Nicolas Richer, Managing Director of Movianto in France
In a rapidly changing pharmaceutical sector, logistics plays a strategic role. For Nicolas Richer, Managing Director of Movianto France, the challenge is clear: to structure a rapidly growing company around two fundamental pillars – operational excellence and service quality. In this interview, he looks back on his career, the transformations undertaken at Movianto, the company’s differentiating services, and its commitments to social responsibility.
Can you tell us about your career path?
I started by studying corporate finance. I then worked for the Metro Group for 12 years. First in management control, then in purchasing in the Netherlands, and finally as Financial Manager for international purchasing at the headquarters in Germany. In 2014, I joined EHDH, which became Walden, as CFO. In 2022, I took over as head of Movianto France to finalize the CSP-Movianto merger and the major transformation projects underway.
How has your expertise in finance influenced your approach to pharmaceutical logistics?
Finance gave me solid decision-making skills, rigor in data verification, and a broad view of the company. I was comfortable with the financial aspects, but I lacked operational experience. I deepened my knowledge of flow management, where every decision must optimize processes while ensuring a high level of quality. It is also a deeply human profession with a strong social impact. I wanted to develop an approach that balances performance and team engagement.
What key projects have you led since joining Movianto?
Modernizing infrastructure to meet the highest standards of quality, CSR, and safety has been a priority. But this would not have had an impact without also training the teams. We therefore placed a strong emphasis on training managers in lean management and set up quality, HSE, and maintenance relays in all teams. We also set up a team dedicated to continuous improvement, in collaboration with the Walden group. On the customer experience side, we consolidated the Key Account Manager function to streamline the customer journey and meet the requirements of our 200 customers.
Finally, we consolidated governance, implemented reporting tools, and modernized our systems (servers, databases, etc.) to structure the company around quality and performance. In three years, we have laid the foundations for a sustainable industrial organization.
What unique services does Movianto France offer?
Thanks to our quality control laboratory and our status as an MAH operator, we act on behalf of MAH holders by preparing products in accordance with French regulatory requirements and distributing them under our own name.
Movianto France is much more than a logistics provider. We offer a full range of services: storage, order preparation, invoicing, collection, hospital management, export, and customs. We operate across all temperature ranges (-80°C, -20°C, +15°C/+25°C, +2°C/+8°C) and have the capacity to handle very large volumes with tailor-made services.
We have a control laboratory that allows us to offer various physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses that are essential in the distribution process for pharmaceutical products intended for the European market. Our import quality team ensures the certification of batches from third countries.
Every year, we carry out no fewer than 5,000 analyses and release more than 1,500 batches in France and Europe. This booming activity is set to double in the next few years to meet customer demand in France and Europe.
As an MA holder, we act on behalf of MA holders by guaranteeing all regulatory responsibilities related to the marketing of products in France.
Finally, we have the necessary authorizations for customs clearance, export, and secondary packaging services. This is a rapidly developing service, particularly in light of the current supply tensions on the French market.
Have you developed services in response to specific customer needs?
Yes, particularly at the Moussy C site dedicated to biotechnology, where we have implemented tools aimed at achieving zero defects. We also work closely with health authorities in France and Europe to meet various public health needs, such as the rapid increase in storage of products in short supply, on-call systems, and quota systems.
These projects illustrate our ability to adapt our operations to the needs and challenges of the sector.
What are the specific characteristics of the French pharmaceutical market?
Laboratories are refocusing on high value-added, low-volume products that require a very high level of quality and service. We support these laboratories with a new warehouse dedicated to biotechnology, where teams are trained in the management of this type of product. At the same time, to support our customers working in generics and optimize our operational efficiency, we have implemented automated order preparation.
How do you see the future for Movianto in France?
I see a future based on the challenges of sustainable development, particularly in relation to corporate social responsibility. That is why, in France, we have defined our CSR approach around two major areas: reducing the carbon impact of our infrastructure and exports, and our responsibility towards our employees.
For the first area, we are in the process of setting up a service to reduce the impact of exports, particularly to France’s overseas departments and territories, which account for 66% of the carbon impact of drug distribution in France. Air transport generates a lot of waste and emissions and is an extremely important lever.
We are also developing new digital services with the launch of the Walden FAST platform. This platform brings together a range of services: BI tools, track & trace, carbon impact measurement, predictive analytics, and more. Its purpose is to enable our customers to better monitor their activity in order to increase responsiveness and efficiency.
But our primary responsibility remains to our employees; we are constantly seeking to develop our teams, support them through the changes that the sector is about to undergo, and offer them opportunities. In particular, we have set up autonomous teams capable of solving 80% of problems without a manager. This enhances their role, makes work more enjoyable, and allows managers to focus more on steering the company and preparing for the future. It gives more meaning and recognition to the work of our employees.