CDI Holdings · Case Study Library
Mission-Directed Work Teams® · Berne, Switzerland
Janssen Vaccines AG
Turning Around a Legacy — The MDW Journey
Johnson & Johnson · Formerly Berna Biotech · CDI Lean Summit · Presenter: Annika Druga
97%
On-time delivery
(from <50%)
(from <50%)
300+
Improvement ideas
captured
captured
10%
Below budget
cost performance
cost performance
ISPE
Facility of the
Year Award
Year Award
Client Context
From Heritage Facility to J&J Standard
Janssen Vaccines AG — formerly Berna Biotech — is a Swiss pharmaceutical facility with roots dating to 1883. Following its 2011 acquisition by Johnson & Johnson, the Berne site undertook the complex process of aligning legacy infrastructure and siloed teams with global J&J standards, while preserving its deep technical expertise in vaccine development.
The Challenge
A Clear Vision in a Demanding Environment
The newly acquired facility faced multiple simultaneous pressures: modernising under strict pharmaceutical compliance requirements, integrating siloed teams, adopting J&J's Credo-driven culture, and preparing for life-critical mandates including global Ebola vaccine production.
“Deliver vaccines to our customers — on time, at the highest quality, and lowest possible cost.” A clear framework and genuine cultural shift were both required: building ownership, discipline, and cross-functional accountability across one of the world's most regulated manufacturing environments.
“Deliver vaccines to our customers — on time, at the highest quality, and lowest possible cost.” A clear framework and genuine cultural shift were both required: building ownership, discipline, and cross-functional accountability across one of the world's most regulated manufacturing environments.
The Approach
Systematic Transformation Through the MDW Framework
1
MBU Deployment Across All FunctionsResponsible Recurrent Units (RRUs) — CDI's MBU framework — embedded across development, fill & finish, QA, QC, engineering, and EHS. By 2015, RRUs were updated to cover every function critical to product and process ownership.
2
Cascaded Business PrioritiesQuality standards rebuilt from the ground up. Strategic priorities cascaded through tiered meeting structures, creating visible accountability and shared goal alignment across every department.
3
Credo-Based Leadership DevelopmentCoaching reviews, visible KPIs, and J&J Credo-aligned leadership behaviours built genuine accountability and management capability — shifting ownership from directives to daily practice.
4
Ebola Vaccine Fast-Track RefurbishmentLife-critical facility refurbishment delivered ahead of schedule, enabling global Ebola vaccine production. Earned the ISPE Facility of the Year Award — proof of MDW mobilisation under maximum pressure in the most regulated industry in the world.
5
Kanban Execution & Milestone-Driven Operating RhythmsProject Kanban boards and milestone-driven operating routines implemented facility-wide, transforming execution tracking into a visible, team-owned daily discipline that reduced dependence on management escalation.
Core Challenges
Legacy infrastructure and deeply siloed departmental teams following acquisition.
Significant variability in production output and delivery reliability.
Requirement to adopt J&J Credo-driven culture and global operational excellence standards.
Fast-track preparation for life-critical Ebola vaccine production under maximum pressure.
Building a self-managing, accountable capability across the most regulated sector in the world.
Results
A Facility Transformed in Three Years
97%
On-Time Delivery
Climbed from under 50% — a step-change in customer reliability across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
300+
Ideas Captured
Over 300 improvement ideas logged by engaged teams, with 96 implemented and sustained — improvement as a team norm, not a management initiative.
10% Under
Cost Performance
Cost performance delivered 10% under budget, demonstrating operational and financial discipline in tandem.
52
Near-Miss Reports
52 EHS near-miss reports filed — evidence of rising safety culture, not rising risk. Proactive reporting as a team norm.
ISPE
Facility of the Year
ISPE award for the Ebola vaccine refurbishment — international recognition for operational and humanitarian impact.
RRU
Full Cross-Functional Alignment
Complete RRU deployment across all departments established structural ownership as the foundation of sustained performance.
“
MBUs are not just about structure — they create alignment, capability, and pride.
Leadership Insight · CDI Lean Summit · Annika Druga, Janssen Vaccines AG
Key Insight
By redefining ownership, developing leadership at every level, and delivering life-saving products like the Ebola vaccine, Janssen Vaccines AG demonstrates that Mission-Directed Work Teams® can drive genuine cultural and operational transformation even in the most regulated industry in the world. When structure creates real accountability — rather than mere compliance — people rise to meet it.
