On January 25 and 26, Jeffrey Simmons, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of global animal health company Elanco Animal Health, visited South Korea to meet with local employees and share the company’s future vision and long-term growth strategy.
Elanco reported that this visit was part of a tour of key Asian countries planned for 2026. During the 2026 Kickoff Meeting attended by all employees of the South Korean subsidiary, Simmons introduced Elanco 2030, the company’s five-year growth strategy. He outlined Elanco’s growth direction centered on innovation, productivity, and pipeline development. Simmons stressed the importance of successfully launching products developed through global research and development (R&D) in regional markets.
The visit also commemorated Elanco Korea’s 30th anniversary and the 45th year of operations at the Banwol plant in Ansan. Simmons praised Elanco Korea’s growth alongside the domestic animal health market over the past three decades and commended the Banwol plant for its crucial role in the global supply chain, maintaining stable production and quality competitiveness for 45 years.
Simmons highlighted the South Korean organization’s vital role in the global market and expressed deep appreciation for the efforts and teamwork of local employees. He described Korea as a key hub where Elanco’s strategy translates into tangible results, indicating high expectations for the Korean team.
Simmons also conveyed a significant message about organizational culture, emphasizing the Owner mindset concept, which views employees as partners in driving the company’s growth rather than mere staff members.
In a surprise announcement, he revealed plans to distribute company shares to all employees in March. This practical commitment to sharing the company’s success and value with its members was well-received by the staff.
During his visit, Simmons toured Elanco’s domestic manufacturing facility in the Ansan Banwol Industrial Complex, observing production processes firsthand. This facility has been recognized as an excellent company for 18 consecutive years since implementing a self-inspection system, demonstrating its quality competitiveness. Simmons identified Korea as a key production hub with a strong domestic manufacturing base and noted the effective collaboration between sales, marketing, and production teams.
An Elanco representative stated that Elanco Korea achieved approximately 10% growth in 2025 compared to the previous year, thanks to stable operations and strong teamwork. It will continue to grow alongside the employees and play a significant role in the global market.
