Factorytalk Forum 2025 Session Recap
At the Factorytalk Forum 2025, David Guy, First Senior Vice President – Head of Operations at B.Grimm Pharma, delivered an inspiring presentation titled “From Vision to Reality: Unison Digitalization – Our Journey Is Just Starting.”
His session captured not only how Unison began its digital transformation, but also why the journey ahead matters for the entire industry.
🚀 B.Grimm Pharma’s Digital Transformation Journey
B.Grimm Pharma’s digitalization story is a powerful example of vision meeting execution — a five-year journey designed to modernize pharmaceutical manufacturing with agility, data-driven decisions, and AI readiness at its core.
Rather than chasing buzzwords, Unison focused on the fundamentals:
- Strengthening compliance and data integrity
- Accelerating speed to market
- Achieving real-time operational visibility
- Positioning digitalization as a strategic business enabler
It’s a story of how clarity of purpose can cut through legacy barriers and create a culture of progress.
🔹 Where It All Began
Like many manufacturers, B.Grimm Pharma faced the common pain points:
paper-based batch records, siloed systems, and lengthy QA reviews slowing release cycles.
But instead of patching symptoms, they redefined the goal — to build an integrated, intelligent, and compliant digital ecosystem.
That vision became the foundation for Unison’s transformation roadmap.
🔹 How B.Grimm Pharma Planned Their Journey
🔹 Implementation in Action
Transformation wasn’t approached as a “big bang” project, but as a strategic, phased evolution:
1. 5+ Year Vision – Build digital maturity step by step, partnering with scalable and trusted technology providers.
2. Right People and Capabilities – Empower internal champions and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
3. System Strategy – Move beyond “one system for all”; integrate best-fit solutions (MES, EBR, eQMS Digital transformation partner) for each domain.
4. KPI-Driven Success – Link digital milestones directly to business outcomes.
5.Vendor Collaboration – Expect partners to guide, challenge, and share best practices — not just supply software.
Between 2024 and 2029, B.Grimm Pharma’s roadmap centers on key digital quality initiatives — starting with Electronic Batch Recording (EBR) within Production and QC laboratories.
Unison has already built momentum toward a single digital thread that links people, processes, and systems. Their agile, pilot-driven approach focused on:
- Real-time data capture and review
- Strong QA–Production collaboration
- Robust validation for GxP and audit readiness
- Transparent change management
🔹 Tangible Business Impact
Even in its early stages, the transformation has produced measurable results:
✅ Faster QA review cycles
✅ Improved data integrity and audit readiness
✅ Greater visibility across operations
✅ Enhanced speed and consistency in production
These wins aren’t just efficiency gains — they’re proof that digitalization creates value when people and systems move together.
🔹 Lessons Learned & Key Takeaways
David Guy shared three powerful lessons for peers embarking on digital transformation:
- Don’t over-customize too soon — simplicity scales better.
- Change management isn’t optional — it’s the engine of adoption.
- No single system can do it all — interoperability is key.
When asked about the biggest risk, his answer was simple yet striking:
“The biggest risk is not starting.”
That statement summed up the spirit of Unison’s journey — that waiting for the “perfect time” or “perfect plan” often means falling further behind. Progress begins the moment you take the first step.
🔹 Transform together
🔹 Advice for Peers
Partnership played a defining role.
B.Grimm Pharma worked hand-in-hand with vendors and internal teams, guided by a shared purpose and transparent communication.
This collaboration turned ideas into progress — and progress into confidence.
From senior management to shop floor operators, everyone moved in the same direction.
“Start small, demonstrate value, then scale.”
“Define clear KPIs and track your progress.”
“Choose the right partners who truly understand your industry.”
His message was clear: don’t let fear of imperfection stall momentum.
Digital transformation rewards those who act — learn, adapt, and grow through the process.
🌟 The Journey Ahead
As David concluded:
“Our journey is just starting”
And that’s precisely the message that should spark action.
Unison’s story reminds us that digital transformation isn’t about technology alone — it’s about building the foundation for the next generation of pharma.
The work continues: expanding into MES, eQMS, and dashboard analytics, connecting every layer of production, and harnessing data to drive smarter, faster, and more compliant operations.
The vision is clear. The roadmap is real.
Now, momentum must continue.
