Finland is packed with highly-skilled workers and has a long history in clinical trials. These factors, among others, attract international medical companies to Greater Helsinki and Finland. Bayer, a global medical, nutrition and high-tech company moved its Nordic headquarters from Copenhagen to Espoo in 2011.
The new Espoo headquarters leads the Bayer Nordic Country Group which consists of Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The re-location of the HQ was part of a larger re-organization aiming to reduce complexity and create synergies within the administrative functions to prepare the organization for future business growth within the region.
Oliver Rittgen was appointed the Senior Bayer Representative for the company’s new Nordic Country Group. Rittgen describes why Espoo was chosen as the new HQ location:
“Finland is abundant with highly-skilled employees. This applies to medical know-how as well as expertise in procurement, legal issues and communication. Finland also has a long history in extensive and long-lasting clinical trials. It is easy to find skilled researchers and motivated patients to clinical trials.”
“Additionally, Bayer has a production unit and supply center in Turku. The Mirena contraceptive devices are only manufactured in Turku. It is therefore natural to have the headquarters in Finland”, continues Rittgen.
Bayer believes it can offer Finnish workers interesting positions in a truly international company.
“Not many international medical companies’ headquarters have found Finland, its expert potential and well-functioning infrastructure. We have a competitive advantage – as first comers we can recruit the best workers”, says Rittgen.
The Bayer Nordic Country Group accounted for market sales of nearly €600 million in 2010. Bayer employs about 1,200 people in the region of which 750 in Finland. The production plant in Turku is one the global pharmaceutical supply centers of the Bayer Group. The Finnish production site focuses on research and development, production and export of prescription medicine to over 100 countries.
