Intervet acquires center for research and development in Germany
Intervet acquires center for research and development in Germany State-of-the-art pharmaceutical R&D center will enhance the innovative power of Intervet Arnhem, the Netherlands, October 25, 2000 - Intervet, the veterinarian business unit of Akzo Nobel, today announced the purchase of a new state-of-the-art Research and Development center in Schwabenheim, Germany. One of the world's leading animal healthcare companies, Intervet will employ around 150 people at the Rhineland-Palatinate site, which will focus on innovative pharmaceuticals for the global market. The first departments will be operational early next year. Comprising an area of about 10,000m² of laboratories and offices, Schwabenheim will be one of Intervet's main research and development centers. It will boost the company's global network of expertise and enhance Intervet's innovative power in the field of animal pharmaceuticals. This latest addition continues the Intervet program of organic growth and strategic acquisitions (such as Hoechst Roussel Vet), which now sees animal pharmaceuticals account for 48% of Intervet's business operations. "Intervet is globally recognized for its innovative, high quality products," said Paul K. Brons, Akzo Nobel's board member responsible for the healthcare businesses. "That's why our veterinarian business unit has, for years, been one of the growth accelerators in Pharma with a profitability comparable to that of human healthcare. To keep Intervet at the cutting edge of the global mega-league, we are determined to invest in its innovative power, just like we're doing now in Germany". The Schwabenheim investment underlines Intervet's ambitions in the field of animal healthcare, coming just a year after a new pharmaceutical R&D site was also opened in Angers, France. Jochen Wieda, Manager R&D Germany, added: "The new site provides us with the ideal infrastructure for our current needs and also has the potential for further extensions. These are excellent conditions to support the challenging target of Intervet for further growth with innovative products. The site will be managed by a young and ambitious team in which we have all confidence." The German Minister for Economics, Agriculture and Wine-growing, Hans-Arthur Bauckhage, welcomed the arrival of Intervet at Schwabenheim, which strengthens the position of Rhineland-Palatinate as an important region for research and technology. - - - Note for the editor Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, is one of the world's leading animal health companies; its current position is No.3 in the world. The company is dedicated to the research and development, production and marketing of innovative, high quality animal health products and feed additives. The company's product range includes vaccines for use in large and companion animals, poultry and fish, antiparasitics, antiinfectives, endocrine products for regulation and improvement of breeding performances, diagnostics, feed additives and productivity enhancers. Intervet employs about 4800 people and maintains a global distribution network of subsidiary companies and agents in 120 countries. Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings, and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 1999 (excluding Acordis) totaled some EUR 12 billion (USD 13 billion, GBP 8 billion). At the beginning of 2000, the Company employed 68,000 people in 75 countries. Financial results for the year 2000 will be announced on February 23, 2001. Internet:http://www.akzonobel.com http://www.intervet.com For more information please contact: Intervet, Dr. J. Wieda, Tel. + 49 611 962 7985 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/25/20001025BIT00280/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/10/25/20001025BIT00280/bit0002.pdf