FLORHAM PARK, NJ-BASF is relocating its Switzerland-based pharmaceutical supply unit to its five-month-old, super-green headquarters building here.

“By moving the headquarters of our global business unit to the United States, we're strengthening our presence in one of the world’s largest and most innovative markets for pharma products,” says Walter Dissinger, president of BASF’s Nutrition & Health division in a statement from Germany, where the chemical manufacturer is based. “This will enable us to even better serve the needs and demands of our international customers in the future.”

Scott Thomson becomes senior vice president in charge of the Pharma Ingredients & Services business unit in its new Florham Park berth. The unit supplies drug makers with active and inactive ingredients, and also provides custom synthesis services and laboratory support.

BASF's five-story, 325,000 square-foot headquarters, designed to achieve “double-platinum” LEED status from the US Green Building Council for its core and interiors, opened in May. The pharma unit relocation marks the first expansion of operations.

The unit's production sites will not be relocated, but the move will centralize the global management in New Jersey, under the new leadership of Thomson. Martin Widmann, previous head of the pharma unit, moves to head of the fuel and lubricant solutions unit in Germany.

Over the next six months, three other global management positions in the pharma ingredients unit will be relocated from Switzerland to Florham Park, according to BASF. The moves do not involve production, Thomson said. Over the long term, however, Thomson said he hopes to increase the number of workers in the unit in New Jersey.

[In case you missed it, check out our Better Buildings cover story about the new BASF building in Real Estate Forum.]

Instant Insights /

BASF Imports Its Swiss Pharma Unit To Florham Park HQ

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