December 8, 2009, Seoul, Korea - Mr. Juergen Koenig, President of Merck Advanced Technologies Limited, the Korean affiliate of Merck KGaA, Germany-based chemical and pharmaceutical company, had a speech for the seminar titled - Korea, your R&D Partner which was sponsored by Ministry of Knowledge Economy and European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea as a customer centric R&D investor.
During his speech, Mr. Koenig explained why Merck had decided to continuous invest in R&D in Korea during the last 20 years. He mentioned all possible existing alternatives as foreign investor and made an overview about the changes of R&D strategy during the last decade.
He further described the globalization of R&D and how the countries are attracting foreign investors to invest in R&D by targeting existing local skills, adapting products or looking for cost reductions.
The international R&D strategies of trans-national corporations were also mentioned. It was high-lighted that even in economically difficult times, like the recent crisis, Merck had stayed the course. The strategy of Merck is responsible for exploration of new opportunities and for the protection against major risks. Mr. Koenig said "The company strongly believes that Merck do drive the power to grow from the balance between the well established and the new, between pharmaceuticals and chemicals".
Focus has been always in R&D. Where the company in Korea is finalizing the construction of the second Advanced Technology Center in Poseung. A project with a value of over EURO11 mil. and investment done during the period when most of the companies have stopped to invest. For Merck, the final customer's tomorrow is today.
The key principle of Merck is to be a customer centric partner with fully close to the customer through R&D, technology, production and service excellent. A global thinking and locally acting is a further concept to explain close links to research and academic community with cooperation of leading universities worldwide.
The strategic direction of the company based on one of the division is in the three pillars concept namely display, photovoltaic, and solid state lighting. The systematic innovation will generate added value making Merck a preferred partner for the customers.
