Bayer Mexico has reported record sales of €285 million for the first half of 2005, up 44% from the first six months of 2004. Sales from continuing operations for the full year 2004 amounted to €449 million.

"Mexico has assumed the role of growth driver for our Latin America business," commented Werner Wenning, chairman of the board of management of Bayer AG. "Between 1995 and 2004 Bayer Mexico achieved steady double-digit sales growth with annual growth rates of almost 11% in euros." This equates to almost twice the pace of growth recorded in Latin America as a whole. At the same time, Mexico’s share of Bayer Group sales has doubled over the past 10 years.

"We firmly believe Mexico to be among the most promising locations for investment in this region," said Mr Wenning. "We are planning to invest around €100 million here through 2008." Bayer has invested a total of EUR 180 million in Mexico over the past 10 years.”

Bayer products have been sold in Mexico for more than a century. The company established its first subsidiary there in 1921, and Bayer Mexico now has 2,344 employees. Apart from its headquarters in Mexico City, Bayer has four production sites in Mexico.