Merck – Living Innovation

Merck presents new slogan and mission statement at its annual general meeting

Darmstadt/Frankfurt, April 26, 2013 – The new slogan “Merck – Living Innovation“ (German: “Merck – Wir leben Innovation”) was presented to the public today at the company’s annual general meeting at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt, Germany. It replaces the various other slogans previously used by Merck for the Group and the four divisions. The slogan is complemented by a new mission statement: “Our aspiration is to make great things happen. With our research-driven specialty businesses, we help patients, customers, partners and our communities around the world to live a better life. We deliver entrepreneurial success through innovation.”

Both the slogan and the mission statement place innovation at the fore. On the one hand, innovation refers to new products that Merck offers its customers. On the other hand, innovation also focuses on company processes and structures.

“Product and process innovations are both supported by a corporate culture that is never satisfied with what has been achieved, a corporate culture where the better is always the enemy of the good,” said Merck Executive Board Chairman Karl-Ludwig Kley. “This corporate culture characterizes Merck. That is also why our new slogan ‘Merck – Living Innovation’ suits us so well.”

Kley continued: “Change – in the sense of innovative change – has always been our anchor of stability. And “Fit for 2018″ is the current synonym for living innovation.”

After having launched its combined efficiency and growth program well over a year ago, Merck has simplified its organizational structure, created leaner processes and introduced extensive cost-cutting measures. In the Merck Serono division, the research and development organization has been repositioned and growth projects for the key products Erbitux® and Rebif® have been launched.

The Consumer Health division is focusing on strategic brands that offer the greatest growth potential as well as strengthening the business in Asia and Latin America. Apart from defending its market and innovation leadership in liquid crystals, Performance Materials is also working on the further development of new technologies such as OLEDs. And at Merck Millipore, heavy investments are being made in research and development in order to solidify its strong position as a supplier of innovative tools and solutions for the life science industry.