Bayer’s company history: Our roots in Switzerland
Bayer is a leading global health and agriculture company founded on August 1, 1863 in Germany. Since the establishment of Bayer in Switzerland on January 4, 1954, the company has become a prominent employer and an important contributor to the Swiss economy.
Key milestones in the company’s Swiss history
1954
Bayer Pharma AG, later renamed Bayer (Schweiz) AG, is established in Zurich.
1962
Bayer International SA is established in Fribourg.
1973
Bayer (Schweiz) AG merges with Bayer Agrochemie AG and Bayer Faser AG.
1976
Bayer (Schweiz) AG moves into its headquarters at Grubenstrasse 6 in Zurich. At the same time, Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over the Inorganic Chemicals, Organic Chemicals, Rubber, Plastics, Coating Raw Materials and Polyurethanes divisions of Vogel AG, Zurich, in addition to the Dyes division of Chemiecolor AG, Kilchberg.
1990 - 2000
Series of acquisitions, including Polysar AG, Agroplant AG (Bayer CropScience today) and Chiron Diagnostics AG, as well as the integration of Bayer International SA.
2000
Takeover of the crop protection production facilities run by Novartis in Muttenz.
2002
Takeover of Aventis crop protection products by Bayer (Schweiz) AG.
2005
Takeover of Roche’s consumer health business and establishment of the headquarters in Basel.
2006
Bayer Diagnostika is sold to Siemens.
2007
Schering (Schweiz) AG is integrated into Bayer (Schweiz) AG.
2012
Expansion of Bayer Consumer Care AG to serve as a pharma hub.
2014
Launch of the new production site in Muttenz for crop protection intermediates to satisfy worldwide demand.
2018
Following the successful acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer becomes the world’s leading agricultural company.
2019
Bayer Crop Science’s EMEA headquarters are moved to Basel.
2020
The Bayer (Schweiz) AG headquarters move from Grubenstrasse 6 to Uetlibergstrasse 132 in Zurich.
2023
Relocation of the Women’s Healthcare therapeutic division to Basel.
2025
The Bayer (Schweiz) AG headquarters move from Uetlibergstrasse 132 to Grubenstrasse 8 in Zurich.