“Grüezi mitenand.”
For over a quarter of a century now, Dow has been based in Switzerland. The country in the heart of Europe is the ideal location for our European company headquarters thanks to a wealth of benefits.
An innovative global player
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
The benefits of a Swiss site
Situated at the heart of Europe and boasting stable legal and tax systems, not to mention a highly qualified workforce and exceptional quality of life, Switzerland is the obvious choice for Dow to do business. In 1974, Dow shifted its European headquarters to Horgen (in the canton of Zurich). In Buchs (in the canton of St Gallen), and Littau (in the canton of Luzern), the company operates two further production and research facilities.
Global hub
With a network comprising 60 production sites and 30 distribution centres, Dow’s European presence spans 20 countries. Horgen functions as the regional hub which oversees not only all activities in Europe, but also the company’s operations in the Middle East and Africa. In Switzerland, Dow employs approximately 900 employees from around 54 countries.