In 1990, Merck KGaA, the German pharmaceuticals and chemicals company, decided to acquire its distributor in Taiwan and establish its own business operations. Fourteen years seem like a short time, especially considering that Merck's history in Germany goes back more than 300 years. But in just these few short years, Merck produced a Taiwan success story marked by dynamic growth.
Today, the Merck Group operates three companies in Taiwan - Merck Ltd, Merck Electronic Chemicals Ltd. and Merck Display Technologies Ltd. - and is a leading partner of many industries in Taiwan, especially in the high-tech field.
Since establishing operations in Taiwan, Merck has not let a year go by without investing in the country. Today, its Taiwan holdings include three production facilities, two distribution centers, offices, and branch offices. It employs 670 people.
Expansion of Merck's Taiwan business activities never stops. Merck Electronic Chemicals Ltd., the leading supplier of high-purity chemicals to the local electronics and liquid crystal display industries, is actively looking to extend its product portfolio via its own research and development as well as through acquisitions. The company recently entered into the business of chemical-mechanical-planarisation slurries (needed by the semiconductor industry) through the acquisition of Qualitec Cooperation, a local start-up company with specialized production know-how in this field.
As the world's leading manufacturer of liquid crystals for LCDs, Merck is investing now approximately NT$ 900 million in a new Liquid Crystal Center for R&D and production of liquid crystal mixtures in Taiwan. This new Liquid Crystal Center will be under the umbrella of Merck Display Technologies, this company currently produces high-quality indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and color filters for the local and international LCD industry.
"Expanding into liquid crystal production was a logical step in the development of the Merck Group in Taiwan. The new Liquid Crystal Center will provide our local LCD customers with the highest quality liquid crystals while reducing dependency on imports and shortening lead times," said Klaus Bischoff, country manager of the Merck Group in Taiwan.
"In addition, we intend to establish our own R&D and advanced technical application services, offering our customers an attractive package of competitive conditions, reduced lead times and the most effective technical support. "
The third company, Merck Ltd. Taiwan, offers products from Merck's Life Science and Analytics division such as reagents, chemicals, test kits, biotech products and pharmaceutical ingredients, and from the Pigments division such as cosmetic active ingredients and effect pigments for use in cosmetics, plastics, paints and inks.
Introducing Consumer Health Care and Pharmaceutical products to the island is next on Merck's Taiwan agenda.
Headquartered in Darmstadt Germany, the Merck Group is active in 56 countries and has more than 28,600 employees around the world. After only 14 years, Taiwan is already among the Top 10 in Merck's worldwide country ranking.
Merck's continuous growth offers interesting positions for talented and entrepreneurial people in marketing, sales, production and R&D in an international environment with international career possibilities.
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