Merck Doubles Size of Schnelldorf Site, Enhancing Global Life Science Distribution

• Merck has opened its expanded life science distribution center in Schnelldorf, Germany, following a €180 million investment that nearly doubled the site’s size.

• The site now includes a new manual down filling operation and additional space for distributing a wide range of products to laboratories and research facilities worldwide.

Merck, a global player in the life science sector, has announced the opening of its expanded distribution center in Schnelldorf, Germany. The expansion, which cost €180 million, added 25,000 square meters to the site, almost doubling its size. The site now includes a new manual down filling operation and additional space for distributing a wide range of products to laboratories and research facilities worldwide.

Matthias Heinzel, member of the executive board of Merck and CEO life science, said, “By combining manual downing filling capabilities with our distribution expertise, our customers will benefit from increased product availability and quicker delivery. This is critical to ensuring that medicines reach patients faster, safely, and more efficiently.”

The Schnelldorf site employs 470 engineers, manufacturing, and distribution experts. Ivan Donzelot, head of integrated supply chain operations, life science, highlighted the importance of the expansion, stating, “Schnelldorf is becoming one of our flagship sites, providing unique end-to-end capabilities for our life science customers. With the full integration of manufacturing and distribution in one site, our customers can now receive even faster and better service whether they are in Europe or in other regions of the world.”

The expansion of the Schnelldorf facility is part of a multi-year investment program of Merck’s life science business sector. The program aims to increase the capacity and capabilities to support the growing global demand for critical drugs and to contribute to public health. Since 2020, Merck has announced industrial capacity and capabilities expansion projects in Life Science throughout Europe, China, and the United States, of more than €2 billion.

Merck’s life science business comprises more than 50 production and testing sites and 64 distribution centers around the world, employing more than 27,000 people in 65 countries. This expansion is a testament to Merck’s commitment to enhancing its contract manufacturing and distribution capabilities, ultimately benefiting its global customer base.