Bayer has mounted a campaign to reassure staff and shareholders that it can contain fallout over its newly acquired weedkiller Roundup, even as an advisory group urged investors to protest against management's actions and pay. CEO Werner Baumann held a conference call with employees around the world this week, assuring them that the 155-year-old German company will weather the challenge despite a second loss in US courts, according to people familiar with the situation. Investor trust in Baumann is slipping, with proxy adviser Glass Lewis & Co questioning his bonus and urging a vote of no confidence in him and other executives at Bayer's annual meeting this month.Pharmaceuticals chief Stefan Oelrich held a similar conference call focusing on strategic priorities, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the calls were private.Other divisional managers also conducted briefings, according to one person.The internal damage-control initiative comes as Baumann prepares for...

This article is free to read if you sign up or sign in.

If you have already registered or subscribed, please sign in to continue.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.