The role of catalysis for the production of fine chemicals is reviewed. The following topics are discussed on a general level: characteristics of the manufacture of fine chemicals, opportunities opened up by catalysis, critical factors for the application of catalysts and the tools that are available to the catalytic chemist. The general part is illustrated by specific examples from the catalysis group of Ciba-Geigy/Novartis such as chemoselective hydrogenations of aromatic nitro groups, the combination of a homogeneous and heterogeneous Pd catalyzed reaction for the alkylation of aromatic systems, catalytic systems for the enantioselective reduction of an oc-keto ester, different routes to an N-alkylated hindered aniline including the (S)-metolachlor process, and the use of on-line monitoring of catalytic hydrogenations with ATR-probes. A short outlook on future developments is also presented.