Merck KGaA: Merck Announces Merck Serono Implementation Plans for Its Efficiency Program in Switzerland

Merck KGaA  / Key word(s): Restructure of Company

24.04.2012 10:00

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted
by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darmstadt, April 24, 2012 - The Executive Board of Merck KGaA decided today
efficiency measure plans it intends to realize related to Merck Serono's
operations in Switzerland as part of the comprehensive transformation
program announced by the company in February. The planned measures include
the closure of Merck Serono's headquarters in Geneva, workforce reductions
and the redeployment of certain Switzerland based functions to other Merck
locations. As a consequence, out of the 1,250 current positions in Geneva
over 750 positions would be transferred. In addition, Merck plans to reduce
500 positions in Geneva and 80 positions across the three Swiss-based
manufacturing sites to create a leaner, more agile organization.

Upon completion of the consultation process with employees and review of
its results, the company intends to start relocations and reductions of its
workforce in the second half of 2012 and aims to fully implement the plan
in the first half of 2013.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News:

Contact:
Phyllis Carter
+49 6151 72-7144

24.04.2012 DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Language:     English
Company:      Merck KGaA
              Frankfurter Str. 250
              64293 Darmstadt
              Germany
Phone:        +49 (0)6151 72 - 3321
Fax:          +49 (0)6151 72 - 913321
E-mail:       investor.relations@merckgroup.com
Internet:     www.merck.de
ISIN:         DE0006599905
WKN:          659990
Indices:      DAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart;
              Terminbörse EUREX; London, SIX
 
End of Announcement                             DGAP News-Service
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------