Speedy, the Alka Seltzer mascot, gives a cheery wave during Bayer's Myerstown manufacturing facility's 75th anniversary celebration held on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Alka Seltzer is just one of the products produced at the Myerstown facility. (All photos by Barb West)
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Myerstown’s Bayer Corp. plant, located just off Route 501, looked very different than normal on Saturday, Oct. 15, as 75 years of Bayer in Myerstown were celebrated.
Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility celebrated its 75th anniversary milestone with a carnival celebration.
Temporarily paused were the usual security measures of a pharmaceutical plant, exchanged in favor of a very different, entirely open atmosphere. One with music, food trucks, face paint, and lots of friends, family, and fun. (There might be friends, family, and fun at the Bayer plant under normal circumstances, too, but we’re pretty sure there’s not face paint.)
Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration included live music, carnival-style games, and food free of charge to employees, retirees and their families. Local dignitaries were also on hand for the celebration. The event attracted more than 1,000 people on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
There was even an appearance by the company’s Alka Seltzer mascot (our PR contact demurred when asked whether this was a full-time gig).
Speedy, the Alka Seltzer mascot, gives a cheery wave during Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Alka Seltzer is just one of the products produced at the Myerstown facility.
LebTown spoke with Michael Sullivan, vice president of product supply for North America, to understand why Bayer was holding the big bash.
Bayer VP Michael Sullivan provided opening remarks during the Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration. More than 1,000 employees, retirees and their families attended Saturday’s celebration at the Myerstown plant and were treated to free food, carnival-style games and activities.
Sullivan said that Bayer has roughly 650 employees at the factory, the highest staffing level it’s ever had, and it’s still hiring.
Rep. Russ Diamond, representing the 102nd Legislative District of the state House of Representatives, offers his congratulations to Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility upon its 75th anniversary milestone at the celebration held on Saturday, Oct. 15. He is accompanied by Bayer executives, from left, Divakar Amin, VP Site Head Myerstown Supply Center, and Michael Sullivan, VP Product Supply North America. Diamond presented a citation to Bayer on behalf of the House of Representatives. A citation was also received from the office of Chris Gebhard, state senator from the 48th District. Myerstown Borough officials were also on hand to offer congratulations.
Sullivan said that the company plans to expand its physical footprint in Myerstown in the near future too.
“We are continuing to invest in assets and expansion, and we’re hoping actually to start a further expansion of the factory in early 2023,” said Sullivan, declining to comment further on what he called a “teaser.”
Bayer executive Divakar Amin, VP Site Head Myerstown Supply Center, addresses employees, retirees and their families during the Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration held Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
The factory has been very successful on the hiring front, said Sullivan, and has attracted “some outstanding talent to join our company.” Currently there about two dozen openings at the facility, where employees manufacture a range of brands including Flintstones vitamins, Claritin, and Aleve.
A selection of the Bayer products made at the Myerstown factory, seen inside the office of Bayer executive Divakar Amin, VP Site Head Myerstown Supply Center.
The factory has a mix of highly automated and less automated processes. Opportunities are available with a minimum of a high school degree, but Bayer can provide training to advance employees in their careers.
“We bring them to Bayer and we continue to develop them,” said Sullivan. “I think that’s one of our core strengths, which is why you’re going to see people here today who have been with Bayer for 15 to 20 years or more.”
Sullivan said that employees tend to stay for a long period of time.
“They like the work environment, they like the culture, they like our focus on safety, and they like our focus on quality,” said Sullivan. “And at the end of the day, we produce a fantastic product.”
“When you go to the store and see what you produce on the shelf, there’s a lot of self-actualization – it feels very good.”
Sullivan said that the facility increased overall production up to 38% during the pandemic, much of which has been sustained growth. Counter-intuitively, the company’s biggest growth hasn’t been only in COVID-related products, but general wellness-related brands such as nutritional supplements and allergy treatments.
Showcases of Bayer products and advertising memorabilia produced throughout the years were on display during Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration held at the Myerstown facility. Familiar brands like the iconic Bayer Aspirin, Astring-o-sol, Stridex Pads, Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia, and Flintstones Vitamins were all produced by Bayer.
“I think that’s one thing that changed a lot during the pandemic – the importance of self care,” said Sullivan. “People trying to be more preventative and taking care of themselves and their families.”
The picnic was the company’s first since 2019. It’s the first large-scale event since the pandemic, although Bayer has continued to do things to celebrate people and the factory such as Hersheypark outings and giveaways.
Sullivan said that what’s really important at the end of the day is why Bayer was having a celebration – because its employees were “super dedicated” to the company.
Centerpieces of highly recognizable products produced at Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility decorated the tables during Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration held at the facility.
“They’re prideful,” said Sullivan. “They’ve given a lot during the pandemic.”
Find more of LebTown’s photos from the event below.
Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility celebrated its 75th anniversary milestone with a carnival celebration, including food, games, and activities for the kids including the barrel train ride.Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility celebrated its 75th anniversary milestone with a carnival celebration, including food, games, and activities for the kids including the barrel train ride.More than a thousand employees, retirees, and their families were treated to a carnival celebration at Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility on Saturday, Oct. 15, in honor of its 75th anniversary milestone.Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration included live music, carnival-style games, and free food for employees, retirees and their families. Local dignitaries were also on hand for the celebration. The event attracted more than 1,000 people.Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration included live music, carnival-style games, and free food for employees, retirees and their families. Local dignitaries were also on hand for the celebration. The event attracted more than 1,000 people.Activities for kids included an inflatable basketball game.Ryan Fanning patiently waits as his pumpkin artwork is completed. Facepainting was just one of the children’s activities available during the Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility’s 75th anniversary celebration held Saturday, Oct. 15.More than 1,000 employees, retirees, and their families were treated to a carnival celebration in honor of Bayer’s 75th anniversary milestone.Food, games, and live music were featured at Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Free food was also on offer during the Myerstown Bayer’s 75th anniversary milestone.
More than 1,000 employees, retirees, and their families were treated to a carnival celebration.
Displays of products produced throughout the years at Bayer’s Myerstown manufacturing facility were on display during Saturday’s 75th anniversary celebration, including brands like the iconic Bayer Aspirin.
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