Swiss Reign + Massive Change + New Site = Chaos - Anonymous employee Lonza Employee Review

3.0
21 Mar 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Company has been doing well over the last few years (at the expense of it's people). Lots of money being made and the company shares. Bonuses have been +100% of target...as much as 180% in 2018. Benefits are par for the market in their cost-sharing model. Company is trying to dominate the CMO market. Stock is doing well. If you're an experienced worker, you can get PAID! Lots of sign-on bonuses being thrown around. Lots of attention being paid in Houston with the new facility there. Some new management being added that don't have a clue.

Cons

Employees are overworked! They are working long days, nights and weekends to keep up with the demand. Swiss leadership constantly swooping in to churn up the business. The leadership here is ALWAYS right. I had a situation where I filed a grievance against a leader and despite the grievance saying the company admitted fault they ultimately sided with the business leader. This is CONSTANTLY happening. Those people in Basel sit on their high paid thrones and yell commands across the world. There's one lady who spends +200 nights a year in hotels and NOBODY knows what she does. People using systems and technology that is outdated and difficult to manage. Folks constantly have to make due with these things and work around them. Many people leaving on top of the abundance of positions they are constantly hiring. No equity stock for employees who are lower than "Director" level, based on what I know. We've heard bits and pieces of favoritism and bias, especially with the Swiss. The Basel office there lacks cultural diversity. They are always moving talent from EU to USA and never the other way around, for development. Some management are not seen favorably in the USA by significant industry figures, causing a lack of confidence in delivery.

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5.0
8 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Diverse opportunities across departments as one wanted

Cons

Provide decent pay and benefits

4.0
14 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Lots to learn about producing API's via fermentation in bioreactors. Lots of room for career growth towards other departments and positions, from the business to the research. Good pay and lots of benefits are offered, such as dental, vision, and medical insurance; they also have a weight-loss program that I'm taking advantage of. Quality is prioritized, so there is no pressure to learn quickly, work faster, or meet quotas to do a good job. Teams are reliable, especially when learning the ropes; they'd be a part of the job I'd miss most if I leave.

Cons

Take careful consideration and be transparent with the supervisors if you're still exploring, as it's not an entry-level job that can hire and train new people at a fast pace all the time (I'm comparing this to retail and fast-food places, though). I live an hour away and work night shift, 7 pm to 7 am, thus the total amount of hours away from home is 14 hours. Please consider your mental endurance as well as your physical endurance for the night shift, as this job requires you to be on your feet, think critically, and can challenge one's work-home life balance.

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