Our Company

Innovative medicines for people and animals have for more than 130 years been what the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim stands for. Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies and to this day remains family-owned. Day by day, some 50,000 employees create value through innovation for the three business areas human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. In 2016, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around 15.9 billion euros. With more than three billion euros, R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.6 per cent of net sales.

Social responsibility comes naturally to Boehringer Ingelheim. That is why the company is involved in social projects such as the “Making More Health” initiative. Boehringer Ingelheim also actively promotes workforce diversity and benefits from its employees’ different experiences and skills. Furthermore, the focus is on environmental protection and sustainability in everything the company does.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Boehringer Ingelheim in Southern Africa

Boehringer Ingelheim entered the South African market in 1962 and later grew the network into Namibia and Botswana.  With its head office in Johannesburg and representation in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Namibia and Botswana. Boehringer Ingelheim supplies the Southern Africa market with 60 human pharma products and employs over 120 people.

A manufacturing unit was established in Pretoria in 1995 at a cost of R20 million, for the manufacture of metered dose inhalers for local use and for export to Asia, Europe and South America.  The facility ceased operating in December 2005 due to changes in worldwide legislation on greenhouse gases (Montreal Protocol).

Clinical research performed by the company according to the highest international standards generates foreign exchange for South Africa to the tune of R50 million per year.

The Boehringer Ingelheim Lung Institute at the University of Cape Town, is a centre of clinical excellence into the research and treatment of lung diseases.  The Institute was established in 2000, with an investment cost to the Company of R 12 million.

In August 2007 an Infectious Disease Care Clinic was opened in Gumare, Botswana.  Gumare is a small town located in the west of the Okavango Delta. The major source of income is derived from traditional woven baskets. Gumare Primary Hospital looks after the healthcare requirements in the region.

Boehringer Ingelheim South Africa remains committed to the research and development of new medicines, access to these for all, and to establishing a climate and infrastructure that will allow for good business development alongside contributions to the community we serve.