Open to Growth

Over the past quarter-century Site Selection's New Plant Database has recorded its share of investments in new corporate plants concerned with cultivating the botanical kind.

Since early 2010, 16 of those projects have sprouted around the globe for Bayer CropScience. And North Carolina is home to a particularly healthy outcropping.

Last week, the company celebrated two milestones: the completion of a $33-million office modernization project, and the groundbreaking of Greenhouse 6, a $34-million research facility at its Research Triangle Park (RTP) headquarters. These projects are the latest in a series of investments that started in 2012 at the RTP location, which total nearly $150 million.

"The modern office at our North American Crop Protection and global Seeds headquarters in RTP reflects Bayer's desire to play a leading role in shaping the future of innovation in the life sciences industry," said Bayer CropScience CEO Liam Condon. "Whether we are expanding our facilities here in the United States or other locations throughout the world, we seek to do so in a way that promotes and achieves our mission of 'Bayer: Science For A Better Life.' "

Among those other locations throughout the world are:

• Muttenz, Switzerland, in the Basel metro area, where a $116-million manufacturing investment will create 30 jobs;
• Singapore, home to a $28-million seed R&D center;
• Leudal (Limburg), Netherlands;
• Lubbock, Texas, receiving a $90-million R&D lab investment;
• West Sacramento, Calif., where a $90-million headquarters/R&D project supports the creation of 300 new jobs;
• Theodore, Ala., where Bayer is partnering with Evonik Corp. on a $123-million expansion;
• Other US locations including Muskegon, Mich.; Institute, W. Va.; Shakopee, Minn.; and Lincoln, Neb.

Bayer CropScience plans to invest close to US$1 billion (€700 million) in the United States between 2013 and 2016, mainly to ramp up research and development and to expand supply of its top crop protection brands. These expenditures are part of a global investment program Bayer CropScience started last year, with a total capex for the period 2013 to 2016 of €2.4 billion (approximately US$ 3.3 billion).

One Continuous Buzz

The newly renovated facility in RTP boasts a modern and open design where employees have the resources and space to work efficiently, "as well as amenities further enhancing Bayer's reputation as one of the Triangle's best places to work," says the company. Today more than 700 scientists and specialists work there.

Greenhouse 6 is the third in a trio of new, state-of-the-art facilities at the RTP headquarters, which will increase Bayer's capabilities to analyze and develop crops and find novel seeds and traits that will ultimately lead to solving farmers' greatest challenges. Greenhouse 5 and Greenhouse 1 are the other two facilities that make up this trio. Greenhouse 5 opened in 2012 and Greenhouse 1 is scheduled to open late 2015.

The newly renovated Bayer CropScience headquarters boasts a modern and open design.

Image courtesy of Bayer CropScience

"We are proud to continue making investments in Research Triangle Park and around the United States," said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience North America. "As we expand our business and grow our research hub in RTP, we further enhance our abilities to make meaningful contributions to farming and modern agricultural production ensuring that we all have enough safe, abundant and affordable food. That's a job we take seriously."

The company's modernized office space and Greenhouse 6 are the latest in a series of investments that started in 2012 at the RTP location:

• July 2012 - Greenhouse 5 opened, focusing on corn, soy and other broadacre crop research ($20 million);
• December 2012 - Land purchase adjacent to the Bayer CropScience RTP headquarters, providing the ability to expand in the future ($6.2 million);
• May 2013 – Development North America (DNA) Facilities completed, where scientists conduct crop protection and environmental science research, including pest and turf and ornamentals ($16.1 million);
• April 2014 – North American Bee Care Center opened, bringing together resources to support product stewardship, sustainable agricultural and comprehensive solutions for honeybee health ($2.4 million);
• September 2014 – Bayer CropScience broke ground on Greenhouse 1, a 29,500-sq.-ft. facility that will complement other Bayer CropScience greenhouse facilities on the RTP site ($29.6 million);
• June 2015 – Groundbreaking of Greenhouse 6, a 73,500-sq.-ft. research facility on the RTP site ($34.2 million);
• June 2015 – Modern Office opens, housing over 700 scientists and specialists, built with many sustainable features ($33 million).

An architectural rendering of Greenhouse 6, the third in a trio of new, state-of-the-art facilities at the Bayer CropScience Research Triangle Park location.

Image courtesy of Bayer CropScience