70 years of Swiss history

August 1 is an important date for both Bayer and Switzerland. On this day in 1863, Bayer was founded as a dyestuffs factory in Germany. Since January 4, 1954, Bayer has also operated in Switzerland and evolved into a major company and employer for the Swiss economy.

1954

The sales company Bayer Pharma AG is founded in Zurich and later renamed Bayer (Schweiz) AG.

1962

The legal predecessor of Bayer International SA, based in Fribourg, is founded.

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

Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over Polysar AG (rubber).

1994

Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over Agroplant AG, known today as Bayer CropScience.

1999

Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over Chiron Diagnostics AG, Dietlikon.

2000

Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over the crop protection production facilities run by Novartis in Muttenz.

2002

Takeover of Aventis crop protection products by Bayer (Schweiz) AG.

2005

Bayer (Schweiz) AG takes over the consumer health business from Roche. At the same time, the European headquarters of Consumer Care AG are established in Basel.

2006

Bayer Diagnostika is sold to Siemens.

2007

Schering (Schweiz) AG is integrated into Bayer (Schweiz) AG.

2014

The new production facility in Muttenz is taken into operation.

2018

Following the successful acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer becomes the world’s leading agricultural company.

2020

The Bayer (Schweiz) AG headquarters move from Grubenstrasse 6 to Uetlibergstrasse 132 in Zurich.