Employees in Bayer Dublin experienced a truly memorable day yesterday as Ireland’s leader Enda Kenny paid a visit to officially open the offices in Sandyford...
Mr Kenny was greeted by Ireland Managing Director, Iwer Baecker as well as the newly appointed German Ambassador to Ireland, Mr, Matthias Hoepfner and Mr Ralf Lissek, CEO, German Chamber of Commerce. The Taoiseach was then greeted by each of the Divisional Leads before having photos taken and chatting with the Irish Management Team. The official part of the day then took place with the cutting of the red ribbon and Mr Kenny was brought into the office to meet more staff before moving his way through the office. A special Bayer History Gallery was created for his visit with old black and white photos showing Bayer’s 150 history from the first Aspirin Van to portrait shoots of Prof. Otto Bayer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG from 1950 to 1964. He then walked through an stopped to speak with individual members of staff including the Consumer Care Team and members of the finance team. Presentations then took place to explain the different parts of the Bayer business - Animal Health, Crop Science, Consumer Care, Material Science and Pharmaceuticals, the Taoiseach was fascinated and asked a number of questions.
Iwer Baecker then welcomed Mr. Kenny and the German Ambassador and they each spoke to a packed room of employees from all sides of the business. The dignitaries were each presented with a specially commissioned “Brazuka Ball” used in the World Cup this year and copies of Bayer’s 150 Years Inventor Book as well as a “Berocca” Energy box. A great opportunity to showcase Bayer and German businesses in Ireland. Total trade between Germany and Ireland is currently worth more than EUR 23bn with an increase in exports to Germany this year of 22 per cent. More than 300 German companies employ an estimated 20,000 people here. Bayer was first established in Ireland 1967.
Article Published: 11/09/2014