Roche Opens New Plant, Builds Intranet, Aligns with Avon

BASEL, Switzerland--Roche Holding AG has opened a new vitamin premix plant in El Salto,Mexico. The plant has an annual production capacity of 1,800 tons of premix; it replacedthe original Roche plant in Mexico City.

Roche has also enlisted the help of Allaire to install an Intranet platform and provideonline support for Roche Pharmaceuticals Australia. The Intranet will increase securityand allow the company to communicate more effectively from department to department.

In other news, Roche has partnered with Avon Products Inc. to develop and formulate aline of nutritional supplements for women and families. The products will be released in2001 and sold in 15 Avon markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the United Statesand the United Kingdom. According to Avon, the products are expected to generate $200 to$300 million in annual revenues in their first five years.

In addition to developing and formulating the products, Roche will provide Avon withmarketing and regulatory support.