New quality laboratory and technological advances improve manufacturing flow and enhance ability to supply customers with life-impacting drugs
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013 / -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies, today unveiled a new quality and analytical testing laboratory at its Rocky Mount, N.C., plant in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and other local and state government leaders. The ceremony highlighted the importance of the quality laboratory, and all of the capital improvements at the plant, to Hospira, the local community and patients around the globe.
"Rocky Mount's new laboratory, coupled with our investments throughout the plant, will help ensure that we continue to supply high-quality, more affordable medicines to customers and patients who need them," said Marty Nealey, vice president, Rocky Mount Operations, Hospira. "Through advanced technology and additional space, we've been able to gradually increase our production levels and ensure more consistent release of products, ultimately supporting our ability to provide a more sustainable supply of many life-impacting drugs. I'm very proud of all of the team members here at Rocky Mount and very thankful for the support of this community and our state in furthering our commitment to advancing wellness."
Part of Hospira's more than $200 million investment at Rocky Mount, which includes significant capital investments, this new, state-of-the-art quality laboratory will be home to 200 employees, responsible for evaluating and testing more than 450 different products. The laboratory features the latest technology and advancements in quality and analytical testing and inspection.
The construction of the quality laboratory was made possible, in part, by local and state incentives, including a grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Since the grant was awarded, Hospira has added nearly 200 jobs to the Rocky Mount plant overall.
"Creating jobs in North Carolina is one of my top priorities and I would like to thank Hospira for its investment in Rocky Mount and North Carolina," said Governor Pat McCrory. "We have a very strong and talented workforce that will provide Hospira with skilled workers that they are looking for. We look forward to a great relationship and watching the company grow here in North Carolina."
The opening of the quality lab and other improvements at the Rocky Mount plant are part of a broad effort by Hospira to ensure consistent access to its more affordable, high-quality drugs.
"For nearly 80 years, Hospira has been an integral part of the healthcare system, serving hundreds of millions of patients with affordable drugs and delivery systems worldwide," said F. Michael Ball, chief executive officer, Hospira, at today's ceremony. "We are investing more than $1 billion globally to not only serve the patients and hospitals that depend on us with high-quality products in sustainable supply today, but also to make sure that our central role in this system remains vibrant in the future."
About Hospira's Rocky Mount Facility
Hospira's Rocky Mount plant is one of Nash County's largest employers with more than 2,600 employees producing a variety of injectable drug products used worldwide in various healthcare institutions and home healthcare facilities. With 1.4 million square feet, Rocky Mount is one of the world's largest generic injectables manufacturing facilities, featuring a wide variety of technology, including isolator filling lines and form, fill and seal operations. The primary product families manufactured at the plant include irrigation and intravenous (I.V.) solutions, renal and cardiovascular care products, therapeutics, local and general anesthesia, analgesia and anti-infectives. Most products are available in a variety of dosage strengths. These drugs and solutions are also provided in a variety of delivery systems including plastic and glass vials, ampoules, syringes, semi-rigid bottles, part-fill bags and flexible containers. The plant also makes products for One 2 One®, Hospira's industry-leading pharmaceutical contract manufacturing business. The facility opened in 1968.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies. Through its broad, integrated portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness™ by improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing healthcare costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 16,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 --
A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including projections of certain measures of Hospira's results of operations; projections of certain charges, expenses, and cash flow; and other statements regarding Hospira's goals, plans and strategy. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including adequate and sustained progress on the company's quality initiatives, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, legal, technological, manufacturing supply, quality and other factors that may affect Hospira's operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.
SOURCE Hospira, Inc.
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