10 May, 2001 --- Merial, the world's largest animal-health company, celebrated the grand opening of its North American headquarters in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth today. The new offices consolidate operations formerly spread across three states. Approximately 400 employees in sales and marketing, customer care, research and development, administration and business support positions will be based here.
The new headquarters is located within 50 miles of the Merial biological manufacturing and distribution center in Athens, Ga., and the avian business unit and biological manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Ga. The new headquarters site was chosen to foster better communication among these three locations and to support the North American animal health marketplace, a key market for the company comprising more than 45 percent of the global animal health sales.
"Consolidating our North American headquarters in the Atlanta area strengthens Merial's ability to provide products and solutions which enhance the health, well-being and performance of animals," said Alan Reade, executive chairman, Merial. "With employees located in a central location, Merial will improve efficiency while continuing to exceed customer expectations." Merial's customers include veterinarians, pet owners, farmers and food animal producers.
Special guests attending the grand opening ceremony included Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, representatives from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and other state and local officials and key business leaders. "The Atlanta metro area offers a multitude of advantages - a stimulating business environment, a talented pool of educated, high-tech employees, access to an international airport, and high-quality housing and offices," Lt. Gov. Taylor said. "We are pleased to have Merial as the first major research-based pharmaceutical company of its kind to be based in Georgia." The company's new North American headquarters is situated in Duluth, an Atlanta suburb 15 miles north of the city in Gwinnett County. With the opening of this office, more than 1,000 Merial employees are now based in Georgia. Merial employs more than 6,500 people worldwide. Annual sales exceed $1.6 billion. Companion animal products include FRONTLINE, the world's best-selling flea and tick treatment for cats and dogs, which is based on the innovative molecule fipronil. Merial's HEARTGARD products protect dogs and cats from deadly heartworm disease. The ivermectin-based IVOMEC and EPRINEX products for beef and dairy cattle, sheep and swine constituted the most successful family of pharmaceuticals in the history of the animal health industry. For Further Information please contact: Brad Bremer Gibbs & Soell bbremer@gibbs-soell.com Jane Calloway Merial jane.calloway@merial.com Notes to Editors: FRONTLINE, IVOMEC, EPRINEX and HEARTGARD are registered trademarks of Merial Limited Merial is the world's leading animal health company dedicated to the research, development, manufacture and delivery of innovative pharmaceuticals and vaccines for use by veterinarians, farmers and pet owners to improve the health, well-being and performance of all animal species. The company is also market leader in the development and production of poultry breeding stock. With its worldwide headquarters in London, Merial employs around 6,500 people and operates in more than 150 countries. Total 2000 sales exceeded US$1.6 billion. Merial is jointly owned by Merck and Co. Inc. and Aventis S.A. Merial Limited Registered in England and Wales (No. 3332751) with registered offices at Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7QT, England, and domesticated in Delaware, USA as Merial LLC
For further information please contact:
Merial: Jane Calloway
(678) 638-3000
jane.calloway@merial.com
Gibbs & Soell: Brad Bremer
(212) 697-2600
bbremer@gibbs-soell.com
FRONTLINE, IVOMEC, EPRINEX and HEARTGARD are registered trademarks of Merial Limited
Merial is the world's leading animal health company dedicated to the research, development, manufacture and delivery of innovative pharmaceuticals and vaccines for use by veterinarians, farmers and pet owners to improve the health, well-being and performance of all animal species. The company is also market leader in the development and production of poultry breeding stock.
With its worldwide headquarters in London, Merial employs around 6,500 people and operates in more than 150 countries. Total 2000 sales exceeded US$1.6 billion.
Merial is jointly owned by Merck and Co. Inc. and Aventis S.A.
Merial Limited Registered in England and Wales (No. 3332751) with registered offices at Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7QT, England, and domesticated in Delaware, USA as Merial LLC
