Merck to Expand Operations in Gillingham, UK

• Company to expand distribution centre for Life Science products to support future business growth

Merck’s plans to increase the existing distribution footprint by 5,250 square metres was approved by the local planning authority on June 26. This building will be in addition to the existing 9,500-square-metre facility at the site.

“Our existing distribution centre in Gillingham is nearing its capacity so it became imperative to expand the facility. We would like to thank the North Dorset District Council and local community in supporting our growth and helping us to serve our customers in the UK,” said Mark Jackson, Gillingham site director at Merck.

Merck’s Gillingham site distributes more than 1.9 million units of products each year to support the life science industry across the UK as part of Merck’s global supply chain.

“Today’s announcement is fantastic news, as this expansion will help boost the local economy and drive forward our ever-growing life sciences industry,” said Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset. “Merck is a global science and technology company and, having previously visited the site, I’ve seen what a strong local employer the company is, committed to playing a vital role in supporting the local community.”

The site supplies the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, research institutes and academic centres with biochemical and chemical reagents, laboratory supplies and testing services. The distribution centre receives nearly half a million orders each year, nearly 98 percent of which are shipped the same day they are received.

Merck employs approximately 1,500 people in the UK. In addition to Gillingham, the company operates nine additional Life science sites in England and Scotland, three Healthcare sites and one site for its Performance Materials business.

Local MP Simon Hoare visited the site on June 29 to officially break ground on the new development.

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About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of €15.3 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.