Biography of Nadir Lahmeur
Nadir Lahmeur is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging industries Based in the United States, he has led operations across the Americas while working with manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia. His most significant role was as General Manager, Americas for SGD Pharma, where he managed markets in North and Latin America, particularly Mexico and Brazil During his leadership, regional revenues nearly quadrupled, and he played a key role in driving strategy, innovation, and expansion
Nadir's career has been built on assembling international teams, forming partnerships across borders, and fostering growth in regulated markets. His knowledge encompasses pharmaceuticals, healthcare packaging, and related services, making him a respected figure in the global pharmaceutical packaging industry.
Background and Entry Into the Pharmaceutical Industry
Nadir moved to Canada to study at McGill University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1994. That same year, he began his career at Valois of America, now part of Aptar Pharma, a company specializing in drug delivery systems In his role as Project Development Manager and Technical Sales Engineer, he worked with leading North American pharmaceutical companies to launch nasal spray pumps and aerosol delivery systems
In this combined technical and commercial position, he supported the transition of products from late-stage clinical development into commercial production He also acted as a link between design teams in Europe and clients in the United States, ensuring compliance with both regulatory and operational requirements
Building a Career at SGD Pharma
In 1997, he joined SGD Pharma, a global manufacturer of glass packaging for the pharmaceutical sector Over nearly three decades, he advanced through senior leadership roles, becoming the top executive in the United States and an essential member of the global leadership team
As Director of Sales for North America, he delivered six straight years of double-digit growth and expanded into nasal drug delivery and diagnostic segments He also negotiated long-term contracts with major pharmaceutical companies, reinforcing the company’s market position His focus was on maintaining customer proximity, dependable supply chains, and efficient logistics.
In 2007, Nadir became Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Americas He oversaw commercial operations across North America, Central America, and South America. Under his leadership, the company doubled regional revenues while maintaining profitability, despite its manufacturing operations being based overseas. He implemented a customer segmentation model that balanced high-margin specialty packaging with high-volume supply, serving both multinational firms and regional players
He emphasized aligning client needs with the company’s technical and regulatory capabilities To achieve this, he created a technical support department to ensure quality and regulatory compliance. This strategy helped secure long-term supply agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies He also played a key role in securing $25 million in capital investment for a new furnace in Brazil, ensuring the company met its strategic business priorities.
In 2016, after the spin-off of SGD Pharma from the parent group, he was appointed General Manager of the Americas He established SGD Pharma Packaging Inc in the United States, creating a new corporate structure with a comprehensive legal and commercial infrastructure. From 2016 to 2024, the Americas division achieved consistent high single-digit CAGR growth. He strengthened technical support, reorganized structures, and modernized distribution to better serve customers.
As part of his expansion efforts, he established operations in Brazil by hiring senior professionals to address the country’s growing market. He also contributed to the Global Executive Committee and the Innovation Committee, supporting worldwide strategy and new product initiatives
Nadir guided the region through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding into food and beverage packaging, thereby maintaining business continuity. Later, he launched a beauty division at the CEO’s request, building the leadership team and introducing a go-to-market strategy for products made in Asia
Education and Industry Contribution
Nadir holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has undertaken further executive training in management, operations, finance, and pharmaceutical sciences. He completed Financial Accounting through Harvard Business School Online, expanding his expertise in financial analysis and strategy.
He also participated as one of the contributors to PDA Technical Report 43, the first industry guide for defining glass defects in pharmaceutical packaging. His work continues to combine technical depth with commercial insight, supporting clients and partners globally
Personal Values, Philanthropy, and Interests
Nadir has a strong commitment to philanthropy, supporting charities that help underprivileged families in the United States and Morocco He also contributes to child welfare organizations in the Caribbean and supports universities and cultural institutions, including major museums in New York City
Outside of his professional work, he is an avid tennis player who competes in regional tournaments He credits the sport with strengthening his concentration, resilience, and discipline in demanding situations
Nadir Lahmeur continues to combine technical expertise, leadership, and global experience to advance growth and partnerships within the pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging industries.