Chairman Elie Chami emigrated from post-war Lebanon in the 1970s at 16 years of age. Having been immersed in the Australian culture for almost two decades, he believed there was significant potential in introducing Australian quality in complementary medicines to the Arab world. Enlisting the help of this eldest son, Aniss Chami, he established Vitex International Services in 1989 and began exporting Australian-made complementary medicine to the Middle East and Arabian Gulf region with export offices in Lebanon and Kuwait.
After half a decade of exponential growth, Vitex becomes recognised by both national and international authorities as Australia’s largest supplier of complementary medicines to the Arabian Gulf and Middle Eastern therapeutic markets.
The growth of Vitex in the Arabian Gulf and Middle Eastern therapeutic markets expanded into the neighbouring African continent. Vitex’s efforts were initially focused on the northern African markets of Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. After achieving significant market share in north Africa, Vitex then turned its attention to central and southern African markets such as Benin, Nigeria, Gabon and Burkina Faso.
Growing sales determined the future direction of the business with the integration of the supply chain to improve the quality of the packaging and maintain the efficiency of service.
Vitex’s new vision was first realised by the purchase and refurbishment of a warehouse unit in the newly developed commercial district of Prestons in New South Wales. This site would become the engine that propelled Vitex into the manufacturer that it is today. The facility was outfitted to perform both blister sealing and bottle filling operations under contract for national and international clients. Elie Chami’s wife Robine and their three other children Latify, Lucie and Anthony Chami began to play an active role in the business as they expanded operations to pack their goods, launching a division called Vitex Packaging Services.
Following an overwhelming positive appraisal on the quality and efficiency of their packed medicines, the family were quick to see the advantage of vertically integrating the supply chain even further. The strategic decision to expand into manufacturing led to significant improvements in the value chain including marked reduction in product costing, synchronisation of supply and demand, improvements in manufacturing consistency, and ultimately gave Vitex the independence to pursue its modern-day vision of becoming one of Australia's leading manufacturers of pharmaceutical products.
The expansion under their new division called Vitex Manufacturing Services saw their capabilities increase to include the manufacture of non-sterile solid dose medicines (i.e. tables, powders, hardgel and softgel capsules). The company revamped its facilities, systems, equipment and outlook to meet their next chapter of growth.
In 2010, the company integrated their three trading divisions Vitex Manufacturing Services, Vitex Packaging Services and Vitex International Services, united them under one flagship known today as Vitex Pharmaceuticals. Vitex revamped its facilities, systems and equipment to meet the next chapter in its growth.
The decision entailed the amalgamation of personnel, facilities, systems and equipment to ensure clients receive a reliable and constant service from a single entity.
Vitex revamped its facilities, systems, equipment, outlook and even its long standing logo to meet the next chapter in growth. Senior Management formally announced the construction of a new purpose-built facility featuring the latest technological advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing to keep up with demand.
This advanced manufacturing plant is Australia’s largest facility in the manufacture of tablets and softgel capsules.
As part of Vitex’s innovation strategy, the acquisition of custom-designed technologically advanced equipment has been a core advantage for the company. Vitex has invested in brand new machinery and equipment for greater efficiencies and output, leading to quicker turnaround and speed to market. Additional features of the facility include a lecture theatre, gymnasium, meditation/prayer room and indoor/outdoor eating areas.
Vitex has signed an agreement with the NSW Government for a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical training and research facility at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the agreement with Vitex paves the way for the company to invest an initial $10 million in a 10,000 square metre facility to support about 100 jobs and train up to 200 students at a time. Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair said this decision would cement Vitex’s role as an industry leader and Western Sydney’s reputation as a world leader in complementary medicines manufacturing.“Vitex’s products are made in Australia to the highest standards, and this underpins the booming international demand from countries like China,” Mr Blair said. “The industry has a hard-earned international reputation for manufacturing quality and safe products, and Vitex’s investment will only strengthen this.
