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The new Bayer New Zealand's animal health division officially came into existence in January. Bayer acquired Bomac in January 2011, which at the time was New Zealand's largest privately owned animal health company. The two companies spent the last 12 months integrating into one single business.
Bayer's Animal Health country division head Connel McLaren is delighted that the integration was completed smoothly and so quickly.
"It was a major task bringing the two companies together, but we had great support from the global Bayer team as well as colleagues from Bayer's corporate services in New Zealand and Australia," says McLaren.
"Key aspects included a new organisation structure, combining sales and marketing teams, moving Bomac onto the Bayer IT platform, making improvements to the manufacturing site at Manukau and establishing an expanded Auckland-based Centre for Innovation and Development.
"All this was done of course while we continued working hard to service the needs of our customers in both the livestock and companion animal areas."
With the two companies now fully integrated, McLaren says Bayer's strategy is firmly focused on growth.
"Our portfolio now contains more than 500 products across the equine, farm animal and companion animal sectors. This figure is set to grow as we work on developing new products through our Centre for Innovation and Development.
"We registered 12 new products in 2011 and already have another 20 new product projects underway."
McLaren says key areas of development include bovine mastitis and reproduction, sheep and cattle parasiticides, swine health and companion animal treatments.
"One of the benefits Bayer now has is its increased speed to market of new products, not only in New Zealand but throughout the world.
"In fact, we've already had discussions with Bayer representatives from Europe and Northern America keen on introducing New Zealand developed products to overseas markets."
McLaren adds that local markets are equally important for Bayer New Zealand, which has a large sales team covering the whole country, strong distribution channels and a growing range of local products.
"Many farmers and veterinarians rely on our products, but at the same time we are continually striving to come up with new solutions to diseases such as mastitis and pests such as parasites.
"With the huge global resources that Bayer has at its disposal, I'm confident we can achieve a great deal in the next few years."
