Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc. to Close Petersburg Facility
(August 15, 2013) Petersburg, VA – Today, Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc., (BICI) announced that the company will close its Petersburg plant at the end of 2014. The facility will continue normal operations through the remainder of 2013 and phase out operations the following year. The closure will impact 240 employees through a multi-stage process starting in December 2013.
"This was a very difficult decision and one that we did not make until we had explored all of our options," said Dr. Manfred Psiorz, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc. "We wanted to give our employees as much notice as possible, so they have time to explore other employment opportunities. At this moment, our primary goal is to support our employees. "
The company announced it will be offering out-placement services and will reach out to industry partners to explore other opportunities for employees.
The Petersburg facility manufactures active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry. BICI's parent company conducted an exhaustive review of its current manufacturing capabilities world-wide, as well as needs in the industry, and determined that it had more capacity than the marketplace can sustain.
"The pharmaceutical industry is going through dramatic changes and manufacturing needs are being impacted by that change," said Dr. Psiorz. "Our employees did a fabulous job operating this plant, but this decision was driven by factors in the market that were beyond our control."
Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals explored selling the facility but was unable to find a suitable buyer. The company has committed to working with city and state officials to find an appropriate use for the facility.
"This is a top tier manufacturing plant," said Dr. Psiorz. "We will do all that we can to help the city find an appropriate use for this location."
The company announced it will begin working with its customers immediately to ensure a smooth transition to new suppliers.
Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors.
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Brian Ellis
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