1668
We are unique. We have been developing further since 1668. Our ideals have been shaped by our history of more than 350 years. Every generation of the Merck family has contributed in its own way, making us: a leading science and technology company.
This creates a special identity. The shared values that underpin the company and shape its future are anchored in the past and are still practiced to this very day. We are reliable. Family-owned for 13 generations. The features that have shaped the company for more than 350 years are not “over and done with”. Each generation has helped to build the foundations that form our current identity. Our success is based on our values, on courage, achievement, responsibility, respect, integrity, and transparency.
These very values inform our approach to our day-to-day work, the way we face challenges, and our interactions with our customers, business partners, employees, owners, shareholders, and the family. For instance, what does courage look like? Courage is pharmacist Friedrich Jacob Merck leaving his hometown to go build a new life in far-away Darmstadt. Courage is expanding the company's presence to foreign continents early on. And sometimes even the addition of a tile to the mosaic has led to a brave new era, such as an active ingredient developed in Darmstadt that was on board the first manned mission to land on the moon.
If you want to know more, please choose: Milestones — Topics — Objects of the month
Research Department
Change and stability, euphoria and sober perspectives, success and failure – over time a company experiences many extremes. Knowing and understanding this helps us to rise to challenges and develop ideas.
The Corporate History research center collects, preserves, assesses, records, and scientifically processes everything that should and must be remembered in the interests of future-oriented actions. We reflect on the conceptual foundations of pharmacy, chemistry and medicine and answer questions about research and entrepreneurship.
This work is done by an interdisciplinary team together with external cooperation partners using a broad range of methods. We offer professional advice, provide ideas and find solutions. High-quality scientific papers based on sound sources are written and used in professional and public discourse.