Merck plans to move the company’s global headquarters from Whitehouse Station, NJ to its existing property in Summit, NJ, which currently houses research, manufacturing, animal health and consumer care operations, and employs 1,800 people. The transition is expected to begin in 2014 and be completed in mid-2015.

The relocation is part of the company’s program to consolidate its global real estate and lower operating expenses following the merger with Schering Plough in 2009. The company will close its Whitehouse Station headquarters and the 2,000 employees and contractors from the site will move to the facilities in Summit or to other nearby facilities, including Branchburg, NJ and Cokesbury, NJ.

“The relocation of our headquarters will help us achieve our future vision, reduce the size of our operating footprint, and increase agility as we adapt to our changing business environment,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer of Merck.