Our History

Boehringer Ingelheim History:  A tradition of innovation

In the 1950's Boehringer Ingelheim's growing international network was extended to Canada, and to where its corporate headquarters are located today in Burlington, Ontario. Trace our history as well as the development of our products in Canada from the earliest days to the present.

1817: Our founder
Our founder:
Albert Boehringer (1861 - 1939),
Counsellor of Commerce, in 1910.
Albert Boehringer was the grandson of Christian Friedrich Boehringer who had started the family's chemical business in Stuttgart in 1817.
1885 - 1912: The beginning 1885: First chemical factory in Ingelheim is set up
1895: Pioneer of large-scale "biotech" production. Boehringer's company was already establishing a reputation for social enlightenment and for technologically innovative products
1902: First health insurance scheme is founded
1909: Boehringer products appear in pharmacies
1910: Introduction of annual holiday for employees
1912: Company pension made available to employees with >20 years of service
1913 - 1955: The second generation 1939: The second generation head up the Boehringer Ingelheim organization

Dr Ernst Boehringer Julius Liebrecht Albert Boehringer Jnr.
The second generation: (from left to right)
Dr Ernst Boehringer, Julius Liebrecht, Albert Boehringer Jr.



1955: Introduction of new and highly effective drugs
1956 - 1987: Expanding worldwide 1971: USA subsidiary founded in Ridgefield, Connecticut
1972: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Ltée founded in Montréal, Québec
1980: Modern era of biotechnology dawns. Again, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a pioneering role in biotechnology and collaborates with leading-edge companies such as Genentech, IDEC, NeoRx and ISIS
1981: Take-over of Roxane Laboratories in Columbus, Ohio
1986: Germany's first biotechnological production plant is founded
1987: Boehringer Ingelheim's first genetically engineered product and the first result of a strategic collaboration with Genentech, Inc.
1988 - 2008: "Value through Innovation" guides us 1992: The first Board of Managing Directors is formed to meet the needs of the fast-changing business environment
1994: Our guiding principles are set committing Boehringer Ingelheim to ambitious, long-term, entrepreneurial goals. "Value through Innovation" has guided us for more than ten years and will continue to do so. "Lead and Learn" is the current phase in our evolution in how we want to work together
Today:  Seizing Opportunities • Boehringer Ingelheim has become one of the most successful non-domestic companies operating in the USA and Japan
• Our R&D has been transformed through pioneering new technologies, such as high throughput and ultra-high throughput screening
• Our Human Pharmaceuticals business was extended with the acquisition of the injectables manufacturer Ben Venue Laboratories (USA)
• Our manufacturing structure has been transformed and the logistics chain overhauled
• New alliances have been formed with other leading companies, such as Genentech, Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer Inc., Lilly and Company, Biolipox, AbGenomics and others
1950: Geigy Pharmaceuticals is licensed to distribute Boehringer Ingelheim products in Canada.
1972: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé is founded in Montréal, Québec.
1978: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé moves its headquarters from Montreal, Québec to Burlington, Ontario.
1982: Boehringer Ingelheim establishes the Animal Health Division specializing in bovine and equine products.
1988: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé purchases Bio-Méga research facility in Laval, Québec
1993: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé acquires Quest Vitamins of Vancouver, British Columbia, which became a part of the Self-Medication Business Unit
1997: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé Research and Development Centre in Laval, Québec undergoes its first expansion
2002: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé celebrates 30 years in Canada, Quest Vitamins is sold to PanGeo.
2008: Boehringer Ingelheim Research and Development Centre in Laval, Québec completes a $36 million investment to facilitate 40 high-calibre scientists to join an existing team of 150 researchers
Today: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd./Lteé employs over 700 people across Canada with headquarters operating in Burlington, Ontario and a major Research and Development facility in Laval, Québec. The two main areas of business are Human Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health

The corporate logo used today is derived from the central section of the Imperial Palace of Charlemagne. The King of the Franks, later crowned Emperor, stayed in Ingelheim during the latter part of the 8th century, probably around the year 774.

Corporate Logo 18931893
The first logo of Boehringer Ingelheim. The intertwined letters CHBS stand for C.H. Boehringer Sohn.

Corporate Logo 19081908
First version of the logo to incorporate the central section of the Imperial Palace.

Corporate Logo 19241924
The Company Logo as used until 1924.

Corporate Logo 19621962
First version of the logo to incorporate the central section of the Imperial Palace.

Corporate Logo todayToday
Boehringer Ingelheim´s logo reinterpreted for the 21st Century. This is the version, launched in 1997, which is still in use today.