Heitmann chosen to lead Lanxess.

Bayer AG designated the future management board of the new chemical company Lanxess, which they plan to launch in early 2005. The board consists of Axel Claus Heitmann, Matthias Zachert, Ulrich Koemm, Bruce Olson and Martin Wienkenhover.

Axel Claus Heitmann was named chief executive officer designate. He is currently a member of the executive committee of Bayer Polymers and head of the Asia/Pacific region. Heitmann joined Bayer in 1989 where he entered the post-graduate trainee program. He joined Bayer plc in the U.K. as manager of the Rubber Business Group's Bromsgrove site. In 1996, he was appointed head of manufacturing and technology at PolymerLatex. From 1999 to 2002, he was head of the Wolff Walsrode Business Group. He was named general manager of the Rubber Business Group at Bayer AG.

Matthias Zachert was designated chief financial officer. He is currently group chief financial officer of Kamps AG. In 1995, he joined the International Management Program of what was then Hoechst AG, and in 1996, became head of a special IPO project to establish the Hoechst Marion Roussel pharmaceutical business as a separate legal entity. In 1999, he assumed responsibility for the integration of the finance organizations of HMR and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, which became Aventis Pharma. In 2000, Zachert was named chief financial officer of Region International of the company.

Ulrich Koemm will be responsible for chemical intermediates, performance plastics and performance rubber, and is currently management board chairman at Bayer Chemicals AG. Koemm joined Bayer in 1980 as laboratory manager in the research department of the Inorganic Chemicals Business Group. He became head of manufacturing in the PK Business Group in 1992. In 1999, he was named general manager of the Coatings and Colorants Business Group.

Bruce Olson will be responsible for performance chemicals, and is currently executive vice president of marketing and sales for Bayer Chemicals AG. He joined Air Products B.V. as regional business director in 1993. He joined Bayer AG in 2000 as head of the Polymer Additives Business Unit. He was named general manager of the former Specialty Products Business Group.

Martin Wienkenhover will be CAO and responsible for human resources. He is currently executive vice president of technology, manufacturing and business service, and labor director of Bayer Chemicals AG. He joined Bayer AG in 1985 as head of a development and formulating laboratory in the former Dyes and Pigments business group. He later held development and marketing positions for this group.