Merck Builds Manufacturing Facility in Singapore

Merck & Co., Inc announced this week that it will construct a chemical manufacturing facility in Singapore for its human health products. Merck expects the new facility to be operational in 2001 and to cost in excess of $300 million to construct. The facility will be located in the Tuas section of Singapore.

The world-wide demand for Merck products has grown significantly in recent years. To assure continued bulk chemical manufacturing capacity, the company has decided to initiate expansion of its bulk chemical facilities in the Asia/Pacific region, which has emerged as a major growth area for its products.

Within the Asia/Pacific region, Merck selected Singapore as the location for the facility. Singapore has a favorable business climate, an excellent distribution infrastructure, an efficient regulatory process and a strong commitment to the environment, all factors which match Merck's requirements.

Merck & Co., Inc., headquartered in Whitehouse Station, NJ, is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of human and animal health products, and provides pharmaceutical benefit services through Merck-Medco Managed Care.