Bayer Inc. On Top - Three Years In A Row!

    
    Maclean's Magazine Lists Bayer Inc. As One Of Canada's Best Employers For
    2010
    

TORONTO , Oct. 8 /CNW/ - Bayer Inc. announced today that it was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2010 by Mediacorp Canada Inc., featured today in Maclean's Magazine. Bayer Inc. was also recognized as a Top 100 Employer in 2008 and 2009, making this the third consecutive win for the organization.

"Being acknowledged as one of Canada's leading employers for three consecutive years is an absolute honour," said Philip Blake , President & CEO of Bayer Inc. "Employee feedback and involvement influences the many programs and benefits Bayer provides. This award belongs to each and every employee at Bayer and I am very proud to share it with them."

Now in its 10th year, the Canada's Top 100 Employers competition is managed by Mediacorp Canada Inc. who select the Top 100 Employers featured in Maclean's Magazine. To develop this year's Top 100 list, Mediacorp examined the recruitment history of over 75,000 employers across Canada and invited roughly 16,000 to apply for the designation.

"A profound shift has taken place this year in the programs and benefits that leading employers are offering," said Anthony Meehan , Publisher of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. "The things that working Canadians value most in an employer have changed dramatically and forward thinking employers are responding quickly to this sea-change."

Bayer's submission to this year's Top 100 competition highlighted several initiatives that differentiate Bayer and demonstrate the organization's commitment to its employees.

Green Matters

As a leader in the Canadian marketplace, Bayer Inc. understands our responsibility to the communities where we work and live. Some of the unique environmental initiatives defined and implemented by our employees include our employee driven Green Matters program, launched in 2007. Initiatives include Environment Week, Earth Day , Annual Wildflower Planting Day and Clean Up Day. Bayer Inc. was selected as one of Canada's 30 Greenest Employers for 2009, featured in Maclean's Magazine's special Earth Day issue.

Corporate Responsibility

Bayer Inc. is an Imagine Caring company that gave over $1.6 million in community donations last year. We partner with United Way and with North Kipling Junior Middle School in Toronto . Our involvement with this high needs school includes mentoring, volunteering for breakfast, lunch and homework programs, job shadowing, Science and Technology Day support, and a sports clinic with students and Bayer's hockey team.

In addition, Bayer matches employee contributions, dollar for dollar up to $200 per year, for charitable initiatives. Employees are also provided with up to two days or 16 hours per year to volunteer for charitable causes they personally support outside of Bayer's community partnerships.

Diversity at Bayer

Bayer Inc.'s diversity program, Bayer Inclusive, engages all employee groups - a mosaic of diverse backgrounds. One of the most progressive initiatives is the Bayer Inclusive Diversity website, launched in November 2008 . It is accessible to all employees and is designed to increase awareness of diversity and inclusiveness. The website features Diversity at Bayer, Diversity 101, Lifestyle, Diversity Resources, Spotlight and Feedback.

About Bayer Inc.

Bayer Inc. (Bayer) is a Canadian subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international research-based group with core businesses in health care, crop science and innovative materials. Headquartered in Toronto , Ontario, Bayer Inc. operates the Bayer Group's HealthCare and MaterialScience businesses in Canada . Bayer Crop Science Inc., headquartered in Calgary , Alberta operates as a separate legal entity in Canada . Together, the companies play a vital role in improving the quality of life for Canadians - producing products that fight diseases, protecting crops and animals, and developing high-performance materials for applications in numerous areas of daily life. Canadian Bayer facilities include the Toronto headquarters and offices in Montréal and Calgary .

Bayer Inc. has approximately 900 employees across Canada and had sales of $908 million CDN in 2008. Globally, the Bayer Group had sales of over 32 billion Euro in 2008. Bayer Inc. invested approximately $36 million CDN in research and development in 2008. Worldwide, the Bayer Group spent the equivalent of over 2.6 billion Euro in 2008 in R&D. For more information, go to www.bayer.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Laura Burns, Senior Business Communications Partner, Bayer Inc., [phone], [email protected]