Julphar partners with IBM Consulting for enterprise SAP transformation
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a major enterprise transformation program centred on the modernisation of its ERP landscape. IBM Consulting has been selected as the consulting and implementation partner.
Founded in 1980 in Ras Al Khaimah, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) has grown into one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and North Africa. The company offers a diversified portfolio of more than 300 products across key therapeutic areas, including diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory and anti-infective medicines, addressing some of the region’s most pressing healthcare needs.
Julphar manufactures its products at 10 facilities in the UAE, with its medicines sold in more than 40 countries worldwide.
At the heart of the transformation is the modernisation of Julphar’s ERP platform, which will migrate from SAP ECC to RISE with SAP S/4HANA. The program includes the implementation of SAP’s latest ERP core alongside advanced capabilities across key business functions, including finance, supply chain, manufacturing and human resources.
According to Julphar, the initiative aims to establish a unified, intelligent digital core that will enhance operational efficiency, strengthen regulatory compliance, improve data transparency, reinforce resilience across critical business processes, and increase enterprise agility across regional operations.
Basel Ziyadeh, CEO of Julphar, said: “By modernising our core enterprise systems, we are building a future-ready foundation that will enhance operational excellence, support regulatory rigor, and enable sustainable growth. This initiative underscores our commitment to innovation and to strengthening Julphar’s position as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.”
IBM Consulting
Under the agreement, IBM Consulting will lead the digital transformation end-to-end, from solution design through technical implementation, deployment and post-go-live support. The firm will oversee programme management, lead the various workstreams, and support the organisational change management required to ensure the success of the complex ERP transformation.
Lula Mohanty, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting for the Middle East & Africa, commented: “As a trusted strategic partner to Julphar, our work with SAP brings together deep life sciences expertise, data-driven insight, and proven delivery to build a resilient digital core for the future. This program will help Julphar operate with greater transparency, agility, and efficiency, while continuing to advance high-quality healthcare across the region.”
“By moving to RISE with SAP S/4HANA and modernising core manufacturing and operational processes using industry best practices, Julphar is establishing a resilient, future-ready digital foundation,” added Sergio Maccotta, Senior Vice President at SAP. “Together with IBM Consulting, we are enabling greater operational intelligence, regulatory precision and sustainable growth. We are proud to support Julphar as its technology partner of choice.”
