Aventis launches two companies in RP

Aventis SA, a world leader in life sciences, launched Monday two companies in the Philippines that represent its core business areas: pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Launched in a press conference at the Skytop Hotel International Manila were Aventis CropScience Philippines, Inc. and Aventis Pharma, Inc.

Among the guests who attended the press launch were French Ambassador Gilles Chouraqui together with the first secretary, commercial, of the German Embassy, Axel Goehner, and business associates of the two companies.

Clive J. Pegg and Manolito Co, country manager of Aventis CropScience Philippines, and president and general manager of Aventis Pharma, respectively, made presentations that outlined their companies' visions, missions, organizational set-up, product lines, markets and their impact or relevance to the Philippine setting.

The two executives also explained the factors that influenced the merger of two of Europe's largest conglomerates that have rich histories spanning between them over 240 years and experience in markets throughout the world.

Aventis SA is the result of a recent merger of Hoechst AG (Germany) and Rhone-Poulenc SA (France) with total sales in 1998 of 21 billion Euro. Its new global headquarters is located in Strasbourg, France, home of the European parliament. It has a total of 90,000 employees in 150 countries.

A world leader in life sciences, Aventis is dedicated to improving life through the discovery and development of innovative products in the field of prescription drugs, vaccines, therapeutic proteins, crop production and protection, animal health and nutrition. It has major research and production facilities in Europe and Asia as well as in North and South America.