Read the Conversation
EF: Entering your 7th year at Dräger Mexico, how have you evolved as Managing Director, and what is your mission in this role?
PB: I now feel more comfortable in my role, successfully delivering on what I have always proposed. Over the past six years, we have doubled the company´s size, creating more opportunities for our employees. As we look ahead to 2030, we plan to further expand in Mexico, contributing to the country's development with our technology in health and safety. Our ultimate goal is to establish our company as a significant global player.
EF: What are the priorities and opportunities for 2024?
PB: Dräger is dedicated to more than just supplying hospitals with devices; we are actively expanding into comprehensive services and consumables. Through strategic partnerships with major companies, we are pioneering the advancement of intelligent operation rooms. Our primary objective is to support hospitals, including private institutions, by providing cutting-edge devices and services that enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals. Our overarching mission is to make a positive impact and facilitate the best possible healthcare delivery.
EF: How is Dräger strategically navigating the dynamic market in Mexico and positioning itself as the preferred partner while expanding access to devices across the country?
PB: Our technology excels in both ICU and non-ICU settings. Last year, I personally experienced the quality of our devices during knee surgery. Witnessing our technology for life in action only reinforced my confidence in what we offer.
Our primary focus is delivering top-tier products and building comprehensive solutions tailored to hospitals. We are actively developing integrated services that also have a positive impact on smaller healthcare providers in Mexico, resulting in noticeable improvements in quality and patient Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
For those concerned about costs, we demonstrate that accessing our technology is affordable. We offer a monthly package covering machines and consumables, alleviating the financial burden. In terms of service, we prioritize quick and efficient solutions. Our services in Mexico set a high standard, and we share our best practices globally.
We understand the importance of adapting our approach to accommodate hospitals of all sizes, ensuring we address their unique needs. Our strategy is about building trust and continuously improving based on feedback.
EF: How is the digital infrastructure landscape changing, and is Mexico progressing in digitalization? How is your company contributing to this effort?
PB: With the company’s shift to software solutions, we have noticed significant improvements over the past two years, particularly among private customers with the financial capacity to adopt advanced technologies. Additionally, there is a growing readiness among some public hospitals to embrace these changes.
Our connecting technologies division is dedicated to developing software that seamlessly integrates devices, enabling doctors to access patient information directly on their phones. This trend is gaining momentum, and I anticipate further growth in the near future. The substantial investments indicate a notable shift towards leveraging more data and information in healthcare, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of patient outcomes.
EF: Why is a dollar invested in Mexico worth more than anywhere else?
PB: Investing in Mexico is particularly attractive due to the stability and strength of the currency. The consistent predictability and absence of major fluctuations make it an appealing destination for many companies.
In the healthcare sector, the investment is justified by a significant increase in private hospital usage. As people move from public to private for faster responses, there is a rising trend in private healthcare demand. The country's ambitious plan to build 75 hospitals in the coming years underscores the robust investment outlook in Mexico.
EF: How does Dräger attract talent, and what skills do you look for when building a new workforce?
PB: We attract talent by offering competitive salaries and high-value benefits, distinguishing ourselves from others. Embracing the remote work trend, we provide a mix of office and home-based days.
As we rapidly expand in Mexico, there are abundant career prospects, including management and international opportunities. We prioritize commitment and an entrepreneurial mindset in potential hires. While being a family and global company is advantageous, we have noticed challenges with newer generations being uncertain about their career paths. Addressing this uncertainty requires significant investment in training, a challenge we aim to navigate, as constant talent development is a priority.
EF: This year, Dräger reaches its 20-year presence in Mexico. What milestones will you include in your celebratory speech? How will you celebrate with your team and colleagues?
PB: In 2018, we launched a global initiative spanning ten countries, coinciding with my promotion to my current position. Fast forward five years to 2023, and we had not only met but exceeded all our goals set in 2018 – doubling the company's size in Mexico, including workforce internal opportunities. We are celebrating company growth and the positive impact on the community. We have created job opportunities, doubled the number of families benefiting, and increased opportunities for women in the company. To showcase these achievements, we are planning a year-long celebration. We have already started with small gestures and will continue with events for our people and customers, including more Dräger Days for advanced training on our devices. Additionally, we have plans to offer discounts, increase our presence at industry congresses, and potentially launch a new product later this year. It promises to be an exciting and eventful year ahead.
We are actively promoting our Solution Center and enhancing its capabilities. We offer hospitals free assistance in optimizing their spaces according to Mexico's normative rules for areas like ORs and ICUs. Even if hospitals choose not to purchase our products, they gain valuable insights to enhance their setups. Our Solution Center collaborates closely with hospitals and construction companies, focusing on factors such as noise reduction in ICUs or neonatal ICUs (NICUs). We are delighted with the positive outcomes and how these changes improve patient care.
In cases involving government institutions, we assist in maximizing space utilization to accommodate more patients efficiently. It is a rewarding effort, and these initiatives are integral components of the comprehensive solutions we currently provide.
