The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ - This morning, Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, announced they are moving their global headquarters from Whitehouse Station to Summit. In a press release, the company said the relocation is taking place because of ongoing facilities consolidation and reiterates its commitment to reduce operating expenses

The existing property in Summit currently houses research, manufacturing, animal health and consumer care operations and is home to 1,800 people. The company will close its current headquarters building in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and the transition process is expected to begin in 2014 and be completed in mid-2015.

In a prepared statement the company said the headquarters relocation is part of the company's ongoing program to consolidate its global real estate footprint and lower its annual operating expenses, following its merger with Schering Plough in 2009. The Summit location was selected as the site for Merck’s new headquarters because it is a strategic, multi-use site with excess work-space capacity and is adjacent to major transportation hubs and desirable urban centers.

"The relocation of our headquarters will help us achieve our future vision, reduce the size of our operating footprint, and increase agility as we adapt to our changing business environment," said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer of Merck.

About 2,000 employees and contractors who work at the Whitehouse Station global headquarters building either will move to the new facilities in Summit or to other nearby facilities such as those in Branchburg and Cokesbury.

Summit Mayor Ellen Dickson is excited about the relocation of Merck’s global headquarters to the community. Merck, which is on the Fortune 100 for business, is really going to benefit the town going into the future, she said.

“It’s wonderful news,” she said. “The site is functional. I think it’s just a move towards a smaller corporate environment.”

Dickson said Summit’s availability played a role in the relocation. Being near Manhattan and major highways were definitely factors in their decision to move, she said. The site, which is 88 acres, really suits the company well, she said.

"This is a really big deal for Summit, bringing more jobs to the City and more foot traffic in our shops,” Dickson said.  “It’s the first Fortune 100 Company to locate its headquarters in Summit."

Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. They provide prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, consumer care and animal health products and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions.