Abbott Laboratories invests $50m in new plant
Abbott Laboratories is to spend more than US$50m (Euro 47m) on increasing its biologics manufacturing capacity in Kansas, US. The increased capacity will meet the high demand for the pharmaceutical injectables produced at the plant, many of which are experiencing shortages throughout the industry, as well as expected demand for capacity to produce new Abbott drugs in the future and for the growth of One2One, Abbott's pharmaceutical outsourcing business. Up to 150 permanent new jobs will be created at the plant.
Approximately 8,000m2 of manufacturing capacity, laboratory and office space will be added to the existing 30,000m2 plant. New equipment to be added at the plant includes advanced technology used in the manufacture of biologics products. Construction was scheduled to start in January, with the expanded areas operational in 2005.
The initial phase of the project will require a capital investment by Abbott of more than $50m (€47m). The original plant opened in 1977 and was acquired by Abbott in 1997. Within the past year, more than 100 new jobs have been added, bringing the current size of the workforce to approximately 800 people.