Founded by Chaim Weizmann, drugmaker Trima shuts down after 85 years
Employees were informed that production will cease after repeated efforts to sell the company failed. About 90% of the workforce will be laid off, while imported products, including Postinor, will continue to be marketed through Altman.
85 years after it was founded by Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann, the veteran pharmaceutical company Trima is shutting down.
Calcalist has learned that employees of the company, which is currently owned by Kibbutz Ma'abarot, were informed last night that, after a prolonged review of alternatives and repeated attempts to find a solution that would allow the business to continue operating, the kibbutz had decided to shut down Tarima's manufacturing operations.
In a notice sent to employees, the company wrote: "This decision was made after several unsuccessful attempts to sell the company as a whole while ensuring the continuation of its operations... This is a difficult and painful decision for all of us, but given the company's situation, it is an unavoidable step. We are fully aware of the significance of this decision for each and every one of you."
Tarima is best known for marketing Postinor, the morning-after pill, one of Israel's leading emergency contraceptive products.
The company's imported products, including Postinor, will continue to be marketed by Altman, the natural health products company that is also wholly owned by Ma'abarot. While Trima's manufacturing operations will cease and approximately 90% of its workforce will be laid off, its import business, including the distribution of Postinor, will continue under Altman's management.
As previously reported by Calcalist, several attempts were made to sell Trima, which has been losing between NIS 10 million and NIS 20 million annually, including negotiations with Rafa, owned by the FIMI Fund, and Chemipal, owned by the Fortissimo fund. Both companies ultimately withdrew from the talks.
Trima employs approximately 130 people, most of whom are not members of Kibbutz Ma'abarot. The company was acquired by the kibbutz in 1962.
