Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Business

Merck Schedules Big Shake-up

Job cuts and plant closings are part of restructuring for New Jersey-based company

by William J. Storck
November 29, 2005

Merck & Co. will cut 7,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2008 as part of the first phase of a global restructuring program aimed at reducing the companys cost structure, increasing efficiency, and enhancing competitiveness.

The company expects the initial phase of the restructuring plan to yield cumulative pretax savings of $3.5 billion to $4.0 billion from 2006 through 2010. Of the savings, about $2 billion will result from the implementation of a new supply strategy by Mercks manufacturing division. The company says it will create a global manufacturing network that is better aligned to current and future product demand.

The 7,000 positions, in manufacturing and other divisions, amount to 11% of the companys workforce. About half of the job cuts will be in the U.S. In addition, Merck will sell or close five of its 31 manufacturing facilities worldwide and will reduce operations at a number of its other sites. It will close one basic research facility and two preclinical development sites.

In the future, says Merck CEO Richard T. Clark, the company also plans to pursue improved approaches to R&D and marketing and sales. We are engaged in an ongoing effort to enhance efficiencies throughout the company and improve the way we discover, develop, manufacture, and market our medicines and vaccines, he says.

The restructuring will not be cheap. Merck estimates the pretax costs of the plan to be $350 million to $400 million in 2005 and $800 million to $1 billion in 2006. Through the end of 2008, when the program is mostly complete, the cumulative pretax costs are expected to be between $1.8 billion and $2.2 billion.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.