Strong growth in human resources at Boehringer Ingelheim

09-Apr-2003

Ingelheim, Germany, 8 April 2003 - Boehringer Ingelheim increased its manpower appreciably last business year, while investing in new vacancies for trainees and training labs at the Ingelheim and Biberach sites. Professor Marbod Muff, member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for finance and human resources, sees human resources development and training as "vital contributions to safeguarding the future of the company. They have top priority."

At the Annual Press Conference, the pharmaceutical company presented its latest employee figures. On an annual average, the Corporation employed 31,843 people worldwide, 13.8 percent more than in the previous year (27,980). The consolidation of a Japanese self-medication company accounted chiefly for this growth. Without this acquisition, staff numbers would have been up by 6.7 percent. A total of 9,467 employees - including trainees - were working at Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany at year-end (6.9 percent up on last year); of these, 5,779 were employed at the Ingelheim site (plus 4,7 percent) and 3,688 in Biberach (plus 10.3 percent). Although personnel costs increased with the growth of the workforce, the ratio of personnel costs to sales remained virtually unchanged (28.7 percent of net sales).

Boehringer Ingelheim will be increasing manpower dramatically this year again. The increase is prompted by key company projects such as the continued market launch of its respiratory product Spiriva®, preparations for the launch of duloxetine, to be co-marketed with the American company Eli Lilly, and the commissioning of the new biopharmaceutical production plant in Biberach. "We can only be successful here if Boehringer Ingelheim can continue in the future to attract highly qualified employees with a true sense of commitment," said Professor Muff.

"The prospects for growth are good. At a time when other companies are cutting back staff, we are stepping up our headcount."

Last year again, Boehringer Ingelheim invested substantial sums in training and education. Modern training centres were built in both Ingelheim and Biberach. Professor Muff pointed out that training and continued education have had high priority at Boehringer Ingelheim for many years. This is reflected in the number of traineeships, which is markedly higher than the average for the industry. Traineeships range from jobs in laboratories and production, through commercial careers, metalwork and electrical engineering, to vocational training run by the cooperative education universities. Boehringer Ingelheim also trains people for jobs as cooks or gardeners.

On the whole, at the end of 2002, a total of 591 young people were being trained worldwide (558 in Germany). This was 9 percent (Germany 7.1 percent) more than in 2001. The number of traineeships will continue to rise. Candidates for training do not only come from the immediate vicinity, but increasingly from all over Germany. This confirms how attractive Boehringer Ingelheim is for young people seeking qualified training. In the last few years every trainee completing the course was offered a permanent contract. Over 90 percent accepted. Many of these young people then opted for professional development, which is encouraged and supported by Boehringer Ingelheim.

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