Following a national site search for a packaging facility, Daiichi Sankyo is settling in Bethlehem Township, PA. The drugmaker considered 62 sites in 12 states before making its choice.
In deciding to buy from packaging manufacturer Amcor rather than build, Daiichi is extending the life of a plant that would likely otherwise have remained closed. And the decision offers some hope to the 100 packaging workers who lost their jobs when Amcor closed the plant a year ago.
Several have already been hired, reports The Morning Call. Daiichi says it will need to fill 80 positions.
Until now, the company has used contractors for packaging in the North American market. Setting up the packaging operation is a step toward establishing a North America a base of operations, the company says.
The building cost $10.25 million. The drugmaker expects a total cost of $19 million.
- here's The Morning Call article
- see the Daiichi release