EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

Fax: +61 (03) 9542-9769
www.sigmaco.com.au www.am cal.com.au
Total Fiscal 2011 Sales: $ 2.4 Billion ($2.9 Billion Australian) +9.9% Total Healthcare Sales: $2
Billion ($2.4 Billion Australian) +13.6% Total Pharmaceutical Sales: $517.3 Million ($615.8
Million Australian) +2.1%
Percentage of Front of the Store Sales in Ex clu sive Brands: 11% (E)
Principal Business: Sigma, which serves AMCAL, the Allied Master Chemists of Australia
Limited & Guardian Pharmacy Banner Groups, is a drug maker and wholesaler, based in
Melboourne. Some 75% of its revenues are in prescription drugs and the balance in over-thecounter,
nonprescription medicines, etc. As a wholesaler and distributor, the company serves
4,000+ pharmacies mostly in Australia and in New Zealand from its 15 distribution centers
(12,000+ products handled). The firm also manages Amcal Pharmacies (550+ pharmacy members)
and Guardian Pharmacies (250+ pharmacy members), and Amcal Max super pharmacies, together
representing the largest community pharmacy banner groups in the country. Additionally,
Healthcare develops and provides private labels (home brands) products for the two groups.
Besides health care products, the Amcal outlets serve as a specialist beauty retailer. Its core
business is balanced with a range of skin care, sun care, personal care, vitamins, analgesics,
cough-cold remedies, eye care, baby care, cosmetics, and fragrances.
EB Identities: Amcal, Guardian, Guardian Be Good to Yourself, Chemists’ Own, Pharmacy Care
EB skus: 400+ (E)
Profile: In 2012, Sigma’s 100th anniversary celebration very likely will be subdued, since the
company has faced some “challenging times” recently. To pay down its debt, Sigma was forced to
sell its Pharmaceutical Division to Aspen, effective Jan. 31, 2011. Sigma, however remains as the
preferred wholesaler for Aspen, while Aspen will be Sigma’s preferred manufacturer. Also in
2010, PBS reforms called for reducing the price of generic drugs in February 2011 and April
2012, which will impact on Sigma’s wholesale revenues. Another blow came in February 2011,
when Pfizer Australia moved exclusively to a purchasing model that bypasses the full-line
wholesaler: This is expected to dent Sigma’s sales by 15%. In response, Sigma has reduced its
operational costs and wound down its customer trading deals and discounts, while at the same
time boosting its support services and increasing its private label product ranges. Amcal
(including Amcal Max) and Guardian are the largest and third largest retailer pharmacy brands in
the country. Their stores also now exclusively stock Boots No 7 Colour cosmetics and skin care
products, supplied by Boots of the United Kingdom (also in this database).
Procurement Contacts: Tony McWilliams, Retail Brand (Sigma) Private Label Product Manager;
Jenny Graham and Jan Stanes, Private Label Coordinators