“Anca Vlad, Romania’s best-known and most appreciated female entrepreneur, is the founder and president of Fildas-Catena Grup, a leading pharmaceutical distribution and retailer in Romania.
A graduate of the Academy of Economic Studies – International Economic Relations section, Anca Vlad started working as a translator specializing in chemistry while still a student. In 1990, she set up her first marketing and consultancy office, and in 1993 she launched Fildas Trading, the first pharmaceutical and cosmetics distribution company. According to the study “The 100 Most Profitable Companies in Romania”, conducted by Forbes Romania based on CreditSky data, Fildas Trading is the most profitable company owned by a woman. Nationally, Fildas Trading operates 17 warehouses with a total area of 58,000 square meters. Products are distributed to 5,000 pharmacies and 300 hospitals nationwide. The Fildas team numbers more than 1,700 employees. At the end of 2022 (latest available data), turnover was RON 5.9 billion and net profit amounted to RON 247 million (about €50 million), up 16% compared to 2021.
The second core of the business led by Anca Vlad is the Catena pharmacy network, founded in 1999. It started with 30 units in Argeș county and, after 10 years, Catena – Pharmacy of the Heart became the market leader in pharmaceutical retail, a position it still holds today. The pharmacy chain currently has 950 units, over 6,900 employees and over 4.5 million loyal customers. In 2022, Catena had a cumulative turnover of RON 6.3 billion and a total net profit of RON 316 million (latest available data). The Catena brand is in the Top 10 most valuable Romanian brands, and its annual promotion budget rivals those of multinationals.
Anca Vlad holds the position of vice-president of the Romanian Businessmen’s Association, as well as of Family Business Network Romania. Since 2021, she is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Brussels-based European federation European Family Businesses. Forbes USA magazine included Anca Vlad in its “50 over 50: EMEA” list, which recognizes successful women in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Anca Vlad is the only Romanian name on a list that includes economic, medical and artistic personalities from the region.
Anca Vlad is involved in the campaigns organized by “Save the Children”, OvidiuRo, LightintoEurope, Hospice “House of Hope” and other charitable organizations. Under the “Catena for the Arts” program, the Fildas-Catena Group supports the arts by supporting the organization of exhibitions and cultural events. The Fildas Art Foundation helps and promotes Romanian artists and supports Romanian film productions. Promoting sport is another of the group’s objectives. Fildas-Catena’s Catena Racing Team football team won last year the Companies Championship, the Companies Cup and the European Tour 6, held in Bulgaria.”
Article printed in the print edition of Forbes Romania and on forbes.ro
