Perrigo Israel president Rafi Lebel died yesterday on a working visit to the US. He was 55. He left a wife and three children. His funeral was held this afternoon.
Lebel began working at Agis Pharmaceuticals 25 years ago, becoming CEO in 2003. When Agis controlling shareholder Mori Arkin sold the company to Perrigo Company (Nasdaq:PRGO; TASE:PRGO) in 2004, Lebel was appointed president of Perrigo Israel.
Even after the sale of Agis to Perrigo, the company's Israeli operations, run by Lebel, continued to be very important. Perrigo said today that its Israeli operations grew, and became one of its most important R&D centers. Perrigo Israel's active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) plant is Perrigo's main plant in this segment.
Agis founder Arkin said, "Rafi was full of the joy of life and very intense. On one hand, he loved the good life, was a great connoisseur of food and wine; while extraordinarily diligent on the other.
"His unique talents were well known. He understood the general picture as well as every detail in it. He understood both the numbers and processes in all the company's areas of business. Everything interested him, and he wanted to know everything in detail. He was a great success at Agis and Perrigo, becoming a key executive at the top of a multinational company. Everyone there knew that if something needed doing in Israel, it was enough to tell Lebel, and it would be taken care of."
Perrigo Israel VP human resources Yossi Gal said, "Rafi loved what he did, and worked in it for the past 25 years. He had an astounding knowledge of the industry, and was an outstanding manager and business partner. He gave direction, enabled each person to lead in his field, and was always around to lend support and encouragement. He leaves behind a well-managed organization that will enable the company to continue on its path."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 12, 2012
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