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.