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Business Sustainability of Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL)


Executive Summary

Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) is the world’s largest plasma-based therapeutic company, initially established to service the health care needs of countries isolated by war, it has transformed into a global leader in plasma and blood-based vaccines. The external environment analysis shows that Australia is favorable as it offers an established democracy, sound growing economy, diverse cultural and racial system with booming educational and health care sector, advancements in technology for improved business performance, beautiful ecosystem, and a legal structure that protects all aspects of business operations. The resource-based view shows that it is positioned to continue creating sustainable value for the stakeholders. Its performance has continued to grow over the years, mainly as a result of advancements in vaccine development. A 5-years review shows that the company has made positive returns to the stakeholders, leading to improved trust on their operations. The stakeholders show interest to continue in the direct of the company as they enjoy the positive returns being made annually. The company does not show any sign of shifting from its present value systems or expand its customer base, as its long-term strategies are aimed at solidifying their grip in the market.

1.    Introduction

Established in Australia in 1916, the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) aims to serve the health needs of countries that have been isolated by war. In the course of their existence, the company has provided Australians with the opportunity to rapidly access medical advancements of the 20th century, including penicillin and insulin, together with other vaccines modeled to fight against polio, influenza, and related infectious diseases (CSL, 2022a). The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1994.

In 2003, CSL acquired Aventis Behring (CSL Behring), a global leader in the biotech industry that is renowned for developing therapies used in treating immune-deficiencies and bleeding disorders, together with other related diseases (Pengana, 2018). CSL Plasma, which is a subsidiary of CSL Behring, is the biggest collector of human plasma across the globe. The company’s operations can be divided into two major value components as: a) plasma fractionation, representing 90% of the company’s business operations; and b) remaining royalties, vaccines, and research and development, which together constitute the outstanding 10% of its operations (Pengana, 2018). As at today, the company houses over 190 centers for collecting plasma across the USA and Europe, and considering that the cost per liter of plasma collected represents a significant part of the cost of goods sold, the company is able to create a competitive edge by doing this on a large scale. To put this into perspective, the company’s mature center for collecting plasma is known to collect about 100 liters of plasma per annum per center, which is more than double what its nearest competitor collects (Pengana, 2018). With over 25,000 employees across the world, the company is also the largest processor of plasma globally (producing 18 million liters per annum).

2.    Environmental Analysis: PESTLE

The PESTLE framework will be used to conduct analysis of the external environment. The analysis will be companywide (in terms of influence on the entire company), and since the company is headquartered in the Melbourne, Australia, the analysis will focus mainly on the Australian environment, with touches on other environments as necessary.

2.1.           Political Factors

Australia operates a constitutional democracy in which the head of the state is Elizabeth II (the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms). The Governor-General represents the Queen at the federal level in Australia, with the Australian government headed by the Prime Minister. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, World Trade Organization, G20 and OECD. It sustains a very close relationship with the US and its political environment is both safe and stable. However, it has been criticized in recent years with its deportation laws (Newshub, 2017), treatment of refugees and failure in the area of human right (The Conversation, 2018).

2.2.           Economic Factors

Australia ranks 14th in the global economy. The global 2020 lockdown has relatively low impact on its economy as its GDP is expected to growth by 3.1% in 2022. Additionally, it is expected that there will be gradual pick in household incomes, business environment and inflation (OECD, 2020). The taxable income of all companies operating in Australia are subjected to 30% tax rate. However, it is projected that this will drop to 25% in the nearest future (PwC, 2020). Its main trading partners are Germany, China, India, USA, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand (OEC, 2021).

2.3.           Social Factors

In terms of education, health, wealth and quality of life, Australia is one of the best countries in the world. In comparison to other major economies, the population of Australia is relatively small at 26 million (Worldometer, 2021). Although it has life expectancy of 80 for men and 84 for women, it is plagued with fewer people in working age and more retirees. It is one of the most multicultural and multiracial countries in the world, with a sound education system that attract international students years (Robinson, 2018).

2.4.           Technological Factors

It is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world. It is established that Australia adopts new technologies at a faster rate than majority of the developed economies, and it has witnessed an enormous growth in technology over the years. There are significant investments from local companies, centered on using technology to meet the growth demands of their customers.

2.5.           Environmental Factors

Australia has one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world: stunning beaches, forests and mountains. It is also known to house brilliant biodiversity. To put this into perspective, there are over one million species of animals and plants found in the country and this can be attributed as the reason why millions of tourists flock into the country. In any case, it has environmental challenges. It is the driest continent on earth that is inhabited. Additionally, climate change pose great challenge to its ecosystem. Some of the outcomes of climate change include water insecurity, regional conflicts over water, land and food, and the spread of infectious diseases.

2.6.           Legal Factors

Australia has fair trading laws, consumer laws, and competition laws. The main source of legislation governing employment in the country is the Fair Work Act 2009. On the same note, there are privacy laws that deal with how businesses handle the personal information of their customers. Overall, the country has a strong legal framework that protects business operations.

Based on the discussions above, and PESTLE score as contained in Appendix (1), it is concluded that the external environment is favorable. This is because Australia has a sound democracy; a booming economy that wasn’t affected by the Covid-19 lockdowns; a diverse society with sound education and health system; high rate of new technology adoption and developments that aid business operations; beautify ecosystem; and a protective legal system for safe operation of businesses.

3.    The Industry's Key Success Factors and the Extent of Dominance

a)      The main success factor in the industry is consolidation, with 80% of the market being covered by three companies in the industry.

b)      There has been an underlying growth for immunoglobulins (plasma products), which is substantially in excess of the future added supply infrastructure, and this makes infrastructure development a key success factor because the higher the infrastructure, the better for the company as they can create a sustainable competitive edge by meeting more demand.

c)      Market presence is another key success factor, with an increase in China’s GDP per capita creating a huge demand for albumin. Therefore, market presence is a key success factor, as the more markets a company covers, the higher its sales and performance.

d)     Launching advanced products, together with investments in research and development, are also key attributes that influence the overall performance of the players in the industry (Fortune Business Insight, 2021).

The market is consolidated with main brands like CSL and Grifols, together with other players, dominating the global market. The main reason for CSL’s dominance is high spending on research and development, which has increased their focus on manufacturing biologics. Together with Grifols, CLS accounts for about 45% of the global market revenue. There are other plasma fractionation companies that are presently racing to acquire a significant share in the market and they include: Kedrion S.p.A, Baxter, Shire, and Pothers (Fortune Business Insight, 2021). The main attributes aiding penetration and performance in the industry, for new players, are continuous efforts to launch advanced products as well as significant investments in research and development (Fortune Business Insight, 2021).

4.    Internal Analysis

4.1.           Resource-Based View

The resource-based view theory will be used to conduct the internal analysis. It is argued in the resource based view theory of competitive advantage that innovation is used to attain sustainable competitive edge as it allows for accumulation and utilization of resources in the right way to serve the interest of the customers in such a manner that competitors will find it hard to imitate and customer will find it hard to substitute (Holdford, 2018). It is based on the view that successful innovations are determined not just by the innovation itself, but by what it delivers to the market. Additionally, success if the result of the people involved, the contextual factors that surround how the innovation is being disseminated and implemented, the companies behind the innovation, and the benefits that the stakeholders and firms stand to get from the innovation (Holdford, 2018). In the case of CSL, its RBV is as analyzed in Table (1).

Table 1. RBV Analysis

Factor

Elements

Decision

Firms resources

It has 190 centers for collecting plasma across the USA and Europe, and considering that the cost per liter of plasma collected represents a significant part of the cost of goods sold, the company is able to create competitive edge by doing this on a large scale. 25,000 employees across the world, the company is also the largest processor of plasma globally (producing 18 million liters per annum).

 

The firm’s resource is capable of creating sustainable competitive edge in the industry.

Financial performance

As at 2021, the company’s revenue increased by 13% to US$ 10.3 billion with a net profit of $2.4 billion. The company’s balance sheet remains strong and it is placed to continue this path into the future. This imply strong dividends for the shareholders, which will attract more investors. Its share price is $269.020, with market capitalization of $130 billion.

Such huge financial standing allows the company to invest in research and development, launch more advanced products and penetrate more markets. Thus, it is favorable for its sustainable long-term performance.

Firms capabilities

To put this into perspective, the company’s mature center for collecting plasma is known to collect about 100k liters of such per annum per center, which is more than double what its nearest competitor collects. The company is also the largest processor of plasma globally (producing 18 million liters per annum).

The company is able to use its resources to meet customers and stakeholders needs.

Competitive edge

Presently, it is the largest player in its industry and shares 45% of the global market revenue with Grifols. It is expand its collection centers and this can only mean improved and sustainable performance.

The company is able to use its resources to outperform competitors and this is expected to remain the same going into the future, with more business expansions expected.

Source: CLS (2021), Pengana (2018), and Australian Stock Exchange (2022).

5.    The Competitive Business Strategy of CLS

The company’s corporate level strategy is documented in its 2021 Annual Report. It states that its strategy is to continually invent new ideas and ways of bringing therapies that can save the lives of patients across the world. It would also continue to expand its production in order to meet the demands of its clients in the future. Similarly, it will continue to advance its technology and medicine in line with the continued evolution of biotechnology. Its long-term goal is anchored on the 2030 strategy, which is to advance evolution in the medical sector, a key aspect of their dream upon which other strategies are built.

The strategy is clearly planned. It is founded on a long-term goal which it aims to attain by 2030. The 2030 strategy was developed with the intention of maximizing the company’s advantages and capabilities in the ever changing and highly competitive business sphere. It stated that historically, and till date, it maintains the most efficient and sustainable supply chain from plasma collection to finished products in the plasma-driven protein therapeutic industry. Their growth has been sustainable recently, with their cell-based influenza differentiated to offer improved protection for communities against seasonal influenza. Its extensive focus on rare diseases gives the company the advantage of focusing on the patients while delivering next-generation innovative products that are available across different platforms.

Therefore, the company is planning for the future and such is its strategy. According to Stobierski (2020), a deliberate (planned strategy) arises out of thoughtful, conscious, and organized actions from the company and its leadership. Normally, it is developed following rigorous data analysis, which includes metrics like segment size, market growth, customer needs, competitor strength, and technological trajectory. It is normally adopted by larger ventures or corporations that are established within their market (as is the case of CSL). The discussion shows that the company has thought about this and has a clear goal it aims to attain within a given period of time, and this strategy is planned towards achieving this goal.

6.    The Overall Performance of CSL

Financially, the company has been great. Its revenue has increased from $6.95 billion in 2016-2017 to $10.31 billion in 2020-2021. The increase in 2020–2021 was a period when many companies in the aerospace and defense industries were recording net losses. However, the reason for this sustained growth could be due to the fact that it is operating in the pharmaceutical sector. Going further, its net profit has also seen a five-year increase from $1.34 billion in 2016-2017 to $2.38 billion in 2020-2021. Investors have been enjoying this tremendous growth with dividends paid per share increasing from $2.94 in 2016-2017 to $5.22 in 2020-2021 (CLS, 2021). Once more, the significance of its 2020–2021 performance is highlighted by the fact that it was a period when numerous companies across different industries were experiencing tremendous losses.

The main reason for its financial performance can be attributed to its research and development. A 5-year review shows that the company’s investment in research and development has increased from $667 million in 2016-2017 to $1.001 billion in 2020-2021. Throughout this period of investment in research and development, the company has seen a 66% increase in new product development, a 10% increase in market development, and a 24% increase in lifecycle management (CLS, 2021).

The main reason for this performance can be attributed to the company’s focus on delivering its promises to patients and the entire public health system in the face of unprecedented uncertainty. It has seen the company acquire the exclusive global license rights for a large-stage gene therapy candidate that can be used in the treatment of hemophilia B, as well as other significant projects (CLS, 2021). One cannot forget the importance of the workforce, and it attained a 73.7% employee engagement score, which is on par with its record from the previous year. Females make up 43% of its board, with 57% of its global workforce being female. It also launched a new Promising Future Scholarship Program with the intent of providing financial assistance to its US employees as well as their dependents. Essentially, it maintains a committed and dedicated workforce, a competitive advantage for the company.

This performance reflects its clear vision of being the dominant company in the plasma-based therapeutic industry. This is also reflected in its 2030 strategy of creating sustainable performance through advancements and the launch of more sophisticated products that better deliver value to customers and stakeholders (CLS, 2021).

7.    Acceptability of Performance by the Stakeholder

Table 2: ESC Framework

Principles

Evidence from company

Transparency and accountability

Transparency and accountability is encouraged and mandated in the company. To this effect, they have the DE&I Leader Accountability Model with the intent of making sure that all of its leaders understand their important role and responsibilities in the company.

 

It also adopts a peer accountability teams that are used to pull the learning forward and expand the individual network.

Planned and genuine engagement

Employee engagement score of 73.7% was recorded in 2021, but it is still 7.1 below the global benchmark. 93% of the employees clear understand what is expected of them to maintain a safe and healthy workforce, and 87% believe that the company has implemented systems for keeping remove employees connected.

Inclusive engagement

In the communities they operate in, the company focuses on gaining insight into their evolving needs as well as providing new and helpful solutions, which include medicine and advocacy programs.

Clear, accessible and simple to understand information

Its annual reports contain clear, accessible and simple to understand information about their performance, normally based on a 5-year review. Interested investors can make informed-decisions based on the report because they can easily be understood.

Listen and learn to improve consultation engagement

This is reflected in their annual report where the company engages its stakeholders through different platforms to understand their needs and learn from that. Whatever is learnt is implemented in its strategy.

Source: CSL (2021)

Linking the discussions above to the company’s performance, it can be concluded that its performance is acceptable to the stakeholders. This is also reflected in the company's 2021 annual report, which shows that CSL has maintained a 5-year improvement in its relationships with their communities (via numerous community development initiatives), relationships with employees (via higher employee engagement scores and programs), relationships with shareholders (via improved and sustained dividends), and relationships with government (via accountable and transparent leadership).

8.    Nature of the Customer Base

Its customer base can be seen from its area of expertise. The company focuses on rare and serious diseases and influenza vaccines. As of today, it is competing on the global stage as one of the fastest-growing and largest protein-based technology businesses, together with being one of the leading providers of in-license vaccines. Therefore, it offers its products to both final consumers and manufacturing companies (that make use of them in producing different types of vaccines).

In the rare disease market, the company’s products are being used across the globe for treating bleeding disorders, immunodeficiencies, neurological disorders, hereditary angioedema, and Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (CSL 2022b). This market base is founded on its top priority of saving and enhancing the lives of its clients. It pledges commitment to ensuring quality of life for the patients that are going through rare and serious diseases across the globe, a reflection of their support for activities and programs aimed at addressing these issues (CSL 2022b). CSL Behring is the subsidiary charged with attending to the needs of this customer base.

In the area of vaccines, the company is trans-continentally partnering in preparedness for major pandemics and is also a major contributor to the prevention and control of influenza across the globe. This market base is serviced through Seqirus, a company it opened in 2015 following the merging of bioCSL (its former influenza division) and the influenza vaccine business of Novartis. By joining these companies, Seqirus has now been elevated to the rank of the second largest influenza venture in the entire globe (CSL 2022c).

CLS has maintained this customer base, and it is unlikely to change in the near future. This is because all of its investments in research and development are centered on this market base, and it did not hint (nor had any hint) as to possible expansion outside this market base. However, one should not be too quick to eliminate chances of expansion outside these market bases, as the company has significant market capitalization ($130 billion) to acquire or merge with companies in different (but possibly related) areas.

9.    Possible Direction of the Stakeholders in Relation to the Company’s Strategy

Investors have been enjoying this tremendous growth with dividends paid per share increasing from $2.94 in 2016-2017 to $5.22 in 2020-2021 (CLS, 2021). Therefore, their direction in driving the company’s strategy is very clear. It is evident that they have gained huge trust in the company, especially as its share price continues to increase over the year, including positive financial returns and a high dividend payout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they will likely push towards the direct of the company's investing more money into their research and development programs with the hope of an even higher return.

The employees have shown huge trust in the company and its policies with a 73.7% engagement score. 93% of the employees clearly understand what is expected of them to maintain a safe and healthy workforce, and 87% believe that the company has implemented systems for keeping remote employees connected. Therefore, it is likely that they will push towards the direction of the company, helping in the attainment of defined objectives.

With its significant investment in the communities, they will likely follow the same direction as the shareholders and employees, contributing towards ensuring the sustainability of the company as its overall success will have a positive influence on the communities. No government would like to lose a company with such market capitalization, and it is likely that they will enact more policies directed towards protecting companies in the same ranks.

Essentially, it is expected that the stakeholder will not move away from the company’s direction because it has shown, over the years that it is capable of delivering value to the stakeholder. If such a value system is maintained, the trust of the stakeholders will be sustained and vice versa.

10.                       Conclusion

The above analysis has shown that CLS maintains sustainable performance in the market, both in its financial and non-financial aspects. This has grown over the years and, in the process, helped the company to gain the trust and loyalty of the stakeholders. In the industry, technology innovation, consolidation, and expansion of infrastructure represent the key success factors. These key success factors are embedded in the company’s short-and long-term goals and are also attributed to its overall success. Evidence shows that, financially, the company has been great. Its revenue has increased from $6.95 billion in 2016-2017 to $10.31 billion in 2020-2021. The increase in 2020–2021 was a period when many companies in the aerospace and defense industries were recording net losses. However, the reason for this sustained growth could be due to the fact that it is operating in the pharmaceutical sector. Going further, its net profit has also seen a five-year increase from $1.34 billion in 2016-2017 to $2.38 billion in 2020-2021. Investors have been enjoying this tremendous growth with dividends paid per share increasing from $2.94 in 2016-2017 to $5.22 in 2020-2021 (CLS, 2021). Once more, the significance of its 2020–2021 performance is highlighted by the fact that it was a period when numerous companies across different industries were experiencing tremendous losses.

The main reason for its financial performance can be attributed to its research and development. A 5-year review shows that the company’s investment in research and development has increased from $667 million in 2016-2017 to $1.001 billion in 2020-2021. Throughout this period of investment in research and development, the company has seen a 66% increase in new product development, a 10% increase in market development, and a 24% increase in lifecycle management (CLS, 2021). The employees have also been satisfied with working for the company as they returned a 73.7% score for employee engagement; 93% of the employees clearly understand what is expected of them to maintain a safe and healthy workforce; and 87% believe that the company has implemented systems for keeping remote employees connected.

As a result, it is concluded that CSL has been able to position itself in the market as a true market leader for all stakeholders. The implication is that the company will likely continue to enjoy its positive performance in the near future.

11.                       References

Australian Stock Exchange (2022). “CSL Limited”. Australian Stock Exchange. https://www2.asx.com.au/markets/company/csl

CSL (2021). “Annual Report: 2021”. CLS. https://investors.csl.com/annualreport/2021/20/

CSL (2022a). “Our Story”. Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. https://www.csl.com/our-company/our-story

CSL (2022b). “Rare and Serious Diseases”. Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. https://www.csl.com/expertise/rare-and-serious-diseases

CSL (2022c). “Vaccines”. Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. https://www.csl.com/expertise/influenza-vaccines-and-antivenoms

David, J. (2022). “PESTEL analysis of Australia”. Global Business Issues. https://howandwhat.net/pestel-analysis-australia/#:~:text=Economic%20environment%20in%20Australia,grow%20by%203.1%25%20by%202022.

Fortune Business Insight (2021). “The global plasma fractionation market is projected to grow from $32.45 billion in 2021 to $51.83 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6.9% in forecast period”. Fortune Business Insight. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/plasma-fractionation-market-101614

Holdford D. A. (2018). Resource-based theory of competitive advantage - a framework for pharmacy practice innovation research. Pharmacy practice16(3), 1351. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2018.03.1351

Long, H. (2020). “The Federal Reserve has pumped $2.3 trillion into the U.S. economy. It’s just getting started”. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/29/federal-reserve-has-pumped-23-trillion-into-us-economy-its-just-getting-started/ 

Martin, W. (2017). “These will be the 32 most powerful economies in the world by 2050”. Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/these-will-be-the-32-most-powerful-economies-in-the-world-by-2050-a7587401.html

Newshub (2017). “Andrew Little stands by criticism of Australia despite hostile backlash”. NewsHub https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/07/andrew-little-stands-by-criticism-of-australia-despite-hostile-backlash.html

OEC (2021). “Australia”. OECD. https://oec.world/en/profile/country/aus

OECD (2020). “Australia – Economic forecast summary”. OECD http://www.oecd.org/eco/outlook/australia-economic-forecast-summary.htm

Pengana (2018). “CSL, the company holding the largest position in the Australian Equities Fund”. Pengana Capital Group. https://pengana.com/australianequities/csl-the-company-holding-the-largest-position-in-the-australian-equities-fund/

PwC (2020). “Australia, Corporate – Taxes on corporate income”. https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/australia/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income

Robinson, N. (2018). “Australia hosting unprecedented numbers of international students.” ABCNews http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-18/australia-hosting-unprecedented-numbers-international-students/9669030

Rushe, D. (2021). “US economy shrank by 3.5% in 2020, the worst year since second world war”. The Guardian News. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/28/us-economy-shrank-2020-worst-year-since-second-world-war 

Stobierski, T. (2020). “Emergent vs. Deliberate Strategy: How and when to use each”. Harvard Business School Online. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/emergent-vs-deliberate-strategy.

The Conversation Trust (UK) Limited (2018). “UN slams Australia’s human rights record”.  https://theconversation.com/un-slams-australias-human-rights-record-87169

Worldometer (2021). “Australia population”. Worldometer https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/australia-population/ 

12.                       Appendices

12.1.       Appendix 1: PESTLE Analysis

Factor

Advantage

Disadvantage

Score

Decision

Political

Stable democracy

Recent criticism on their deportation law, treatment of refugees and human right laws.

70

Favourable for business because they can expect sustainability and certainty in government polices

Economic

Largest economy in the world with high spending power, and an environment favourable for FDI

Will likely become 3rd largest economy in the world by 2050, high labour cost and many other countries are competing to become favourable for FDI

80

Favourable because of its spending power and people trust brands coming from USA due to perception of high quality.

Social

Diverse population with sound education and health system.

Ageing workforce and increasing number of retiree

70

Favourable because it can expect sound and qualified employees based on the education system, as well as ability to offer sound health care services to its workforce.

Technological

Early adopters of technologies with advancements made towards improved productivity.

High cost of labour and technologies.

95

Highly favourable because it can aid the company’s research and development, as well as advancements in plasma processing and its other business operations.

Environmental

Beautiful ecosystem for relaxation

Harsh weather conditions and the driest continent in the world. Effects of climate change is pronounced

80

 

 

Favourable because it has better conditions than some of the developed nations

Legal

Sound legal system with equality protection for both foreigners and nationals. Businesses are protected across different levels.

Employee right is well pronounced, leading to numerous litigations

80

 

Favourable because of sound protection for businesses, their trademarks, copyright and entire operation process.

Management 454218454693184918

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