Outlining the company's vision for its business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EuAfME), Zoetis said it wo0uld be building on 60 years of experience in the animal health sector.

The company said that it aims to have its products, services and people as the most valued by animal health customers around the region, and the world.

"We are united around this shared vision, and we strive every day to help customers meet their real-world challenges through quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests and a range of services," said Alejandro Bernal, Zoetis Executive Vice President and Area President for the EuAfME region.

"As the largest stand-alone company in the industry, we are dedicated solely to animal health and focusing on our core business so our customers can grow theirs."

Such strong and sustainable business growth will be achieved through six key strategies, Mr Bernal said:

• Leverage our direct local presence and strong customer relationships
• Further penetrate emerging markets
• Pursue new product development and value-added lifecycle management to extend our product portfolio
• Remain partner of choice for access to new products and technologies
• Continue to provide high quality products
• Expand complementary businesses to become a more complete trusted partner

Zoetis said it combines local presence with strong customer relationships across the EuAfME region, where Zoetis has 2,600 colleagues, offices in 17 countries, (speaking 20 different languages), conducting business in more than 60 countries, Bernal told the meeting in Paris. That presence is backed by strong manufacturing and Research and Development capabilities; Zoetis has four manufacturing sites in Europe: Catania (Italy), Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), Medolla (Italy), Olot (Spain) and three Research and Development sites: Louvain-la-Neuve, Olot and Zaventem (Belgium).

"Our local presence, backed by our global reach and resources, allows us to work with customers to address their specific needs."

In addition to working closely with customers, Zoetis os also aiming to collaborate with universities and other research organisations, to help advance the animal health sector and those who raise and care for animals. One example of this is the partnership with the University of Stirling, one of the leading research organisations, based in Scotland.

"Academia is increasingly realising the benefits of working with industry on research projects, and is concentrating on those with more direct impact rather than on pure research," said Professor Randolph Richards, from Stirling. "In our own case, Zoetis has been able to provide resources which were otherwise unavailable to us, with funding opportunity being provided through the UK Technology Strategy Board."

Diversity as a Strength

Mr Bernal said such research partnerships allow Zoetis to meet industry challenges head-on.

"We are a region with a broad diversity of markets, with a strong demand for protein (and production), and considerable growth in developing countries. But we have a broad portfolio of products and services, which together with the value created by our field force, makes Zoetis in EuAfME uniquely positioned to create strong relationships with customers."

"Our diversity is the strength on which we deliver our promise to customers: for animals, for health, for you."