Bayer to cut 200 jobs at U.S. logistics center as it alters course for pharma

Add a Bayer Healthcare logistics center in Indiana to U.S. operations that will get whacked as part of a major restructuring that will hive off its animal health unit and shed about 12,000 jobs.

The German company this week told about 195 employees at the center in Mishawaka that the operation will be closed over the next 18 months. 

Bayer spokesman Chris Loder said in an email today that the decision to close the Indiana site was part of its effort to transition toward an integrated global organization and increase efficiency.

"Most of the employees at the Mishawaka/Edison Lakes site are part of Bayer’s customer logistics service center, which is responsible for the end-to-end customer experience—from the starting point of taking customer orders, through to delivery and final payment—for our Consumer Health and Pharmaceuticals businesses."

RELATED: Bayer to cut loose animal health, consumer brands and 12,000 jobs in huge shakeup

The German conglomerate has already announced other closings across its diverse organization. It has said that it will close its hemophilia manufacturing facility in Wuppertal, Germany, and lay off 350 workers, focusing all of its recombinant factor VIII production at its site in Berkeley, California. The cuts in Germany came on top of the announced layoffs in October of more than 225 manufacturing workers in Berkeley.

Last month, it said it was closing an operations center in Robinson, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, that was part of its decision to consolidate business functions. The cuts mean the loss of 569 Bayer employees and 96 contractors over the next two years. Other cuts include a decision to divest its animal health business and to shed part of its consumer health franchise—along with 1,100 jobs in the sector. It also will trim 4,100 crop science positions as it integrates its newly acquired Monsanto operations.