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Sign DiNIE Argentina, 1940s
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Already in the 19th century, the company maintained numerous successful business contacts in South America – like in Argentina since 1867 where Permanent local representatives are appointed, who are dedicated to the extensive chemicals and drugs business. Merck Quimica Argentina S. A. is founded in Buenos Aires in 1929 assuming a leading role in the Argentine pharmaceutical and chemical sector in the 1930s.
The situation suddenly changes following Argentina’s declaration of war on Germany in March 1945. An authority established specifically for the administration of enemy owners, the “Junta de Vigilancia de las entiades enemigas”, takes over control of Merck Quimica Argentina which has 70 blue-collar workers and 99 office staff in May 1945. The contracts of the previous head of the company, Paul Klemme and other executives, are terminated and their positions filled by employees appointed by the government.
At a public auction in 1958, the company succeeds in reacquiring the former Argentinean subsidiary Merck Quimica Argentina for the minimum offer of 20 million pesos. The buyer is Emanuel Merck oHG, the seller is the Argentinean government. Günther Karl Alfred John is the first managing director. At the time of the reacquistion, the company has 358 employees. A condition for the reacquisition is that no unjustified personnel dismissals are made.