Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, Almac Group chairman Sir Allen McClay and Sam Kriebel, a local farmer and landowner, came together to break ground on the site of Almac's new North American Headquarters in Lower Salford Township.
Construction of the new 240,000ft2 building on the 40-acre site starts this month and is expected to be completed in 2010. In addition to the current 495 staff relocating, an additional 265 jobs will be created.
Initially two divisions, Almac Clinical Services and Almac Clinical Technologies, will be based in the building and plans are in place for expansion across other divisions at the site. Staff at the new headquarters will continue to work closely with staff at Almac's other US facilities.
"Today marks the start of a new era for Almac in North America," said McClay. "Once completed, our new headquarters, which represents an investment of some US$100m, will employ over 750 people across a variety of disciplines, with job numbers anticipated to grow significantly in the years ahead.
"Almac is committed to the ongoing development of its business in the US and I am delighted that Lower Salford will play a central role in the future of the Group's operations here."
