Traded as SIX: LONN, SGX: O6Z Headquarters Basel, Switzerland Founded 1897 | Operating income Number of employees 11,400 Type Aktiengesellschaft | |
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Industry Chemicals
biotechnology Key people Richard Ridinger (CEO), Rolf Soiron (Chairman) Products Biopharmaceuticals, organic and fine chemicals, chemical synthesis equipment, custom manufacturing of chemicals and related products Revenue CHF 2.680 billion (2010) CEO Richard Ridinger (1 May 2012–) | ||
Lonza Group is a Swiss multinational, chemicals and biotechnology company, head-quartered in Basel, with R&D centres in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, U.K., Singapore, United States and Genome Valley, India. The company provides product development services to the pharmaceutical and biologic industries, including organic, fine and performance chemicals, custom manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis capabilities, detection systems and services for the bioscience sector.
History
Lonza was founded in 1897 in the small Swiss town of Gampel, situated in the canton of Valais, taking its name from the nearby river. Initially the company produced electricity used to manufacture chemicals such as calcium carbide. Lonza moved to neighbouring Visp (where it retains a production site today) in 1909 and began manufacturing synthetic fertilisers, and moves into vitamins, acids, intermediates and additives followed. In 1974, the group merged with aluminium firm Alusuisse, after which the group moved into the biotechnology sector. Lonza de-merged from the Alusuisse-Lonza Group in 1999 and listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange. The company has expanded in the United States and acquired smaller biopharmaceutical units in recent years. In October 2011, Lonza acquired American firm Arch Chemicals for $1.4 billion, as a result becoming the world's largest manufacturer of biocides. On the 15th of August 2016, the group announced its intention to acquire InterHealth Nutraceuticals, a leader in research, development, manufacture and marketing of value-added nutritional ingredients for use in dietary supplements. The acquisition of the US based company will be done at a value of up to USD 300m.
In December 2016, the company announced it would acquire Capsugel for $5.5 billion, from private equity firm KKR.