Teaneck, N.J.,-based Eisai Inc. recently broke ground for a new pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development facility for parenteral — or intravenous — oncology treatments in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Eisai will invest $90 million in the 65,000 square foot facility, which will encompass aseptic processing suites, laboratories and other support functions.
In addition, a separate $15 million central utilities building is planned to supply power, steam, chilled water and compressed air to existing and new operations. Facility completion is anticipated in three years, with operations beginning in 2009, leading to 59 new jobs during the next three years and 84 new jobs during the next five years.
Eisai has a number of drugs in development for patients with cancer and recently entered the market through the acquisition of four oncology-related products from Ligand Pharmaceuticals.
The new facility will complement the existing 190,000 square foot structure, which is devoted to manufacturing Aricept and Aciphex tablets, as well as formulation research and development and manufacturing of compounds for use in clinical trials.
| The state approved a $50,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. |
Another technology giant, DuPont, recently announced that it will add a new $50 million facility on a portion of its Fayetteville, N.C., campus. The new plant will produce polymer for DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film, which is used in the protective backsheets of photovoltaic solar panels.
The state approved a $50,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants are contingent upon a local match.
DuPont employs 60,000 workers in 70 countries worldwide, including more than 900 in North Carolina at facilities in Fayetteville, Kinston and the Research Triangle region.
Meanwhile, Kitchen Ventilation Systems LLC will open a manufacturing plant near Charlotte, creating 86 jobs and investing $5 million during the next three years. Kitchen Ventilation Systems of Schofield, Wis., will manufacture commercial kitchen ventilation systems at a facility in Kings Mountain.
“During the past several months, we have had a team working to identify and recommend a site for our regional manufacturing operation in the southeastern U.S.,” said Brain Ranney, president of Kitchen Ventilation Systems. “After completing an extensive search and evaluation process we are excited to make Cleveland County our new manufacturing home. Key factors in our decision process were the ability to ship products within the region in two days or less, access to a skilled work force, training and education opportunities, an expandable high quality facility, and aggressive economic development teams at the state, regional, county and local level.”
The announcement accompanied by a $68,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.
Ralph Lauren Media to Open Customer Service Center
Delaware-based Ralph Lauren Media LLC will invest $11.8 million in the opening of a customer service center that will bring 200 new jobs to High Point. The project was supported by a grant from the state’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program.
Ralph Lauren Media is a 30-year partnership between the Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., the National Broadcasting Co. and ValueVision Media Inc., created to market the Ralph Lauren brand. Ralph Lauren Media’s first initiative was the development and launch of Polo.com, the online store for Polo Ralph Lauren, in November 2000.
Since the launch of Polo.com, ValueVision Media Inc. has provided customer service and order fulfillment operations through the company’s facilities in Minneapolis, Minn. and Bowling Green, Ky. The new High Point facility will manage all Polo.com operations, including fulfilling customer orders, altering and embroidering products and providing customer support.
The customer service center is expected to open next year. The company will invest $11.8 million in machinery and equipment for the facility.
The 200 new jobs will include management, technology support and call center operators. While individual wages will vary by job function, the average yearly salary for the positions will be $33,695, plus benefits.
“We are thrilled to partner with the state of North Carolina and further support the local community of High Point,” said Sarah Gallagher, president of Ralph Lauren Media. “This is a wonderful place to do business.”
Under the terms of the JDIG agreement approved by the Economic Investment Committee, a 10-year grant will be established.
For each year that the company meets the required performance targets, the state will provide a grant equal to 65 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs. If the company creates all of the jobs called for under the agreement and sustains them for 10 years, Ralph Lauren Media could yield a maximum benefit of $1.52 million.
In Greensboro, Carolina Precision Plastics will expand its North Carolina operations, creating 150 jobs in Greensboro and investing $4.5 million during the next three years. The company is eligible for a $150,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.
“The state of North Carolina has been a terrific business partner of Carolina Precision Plastics throughout our 20 years of operation in Asheboro,” said Brian Tauber, the president and CEO of the company.
Carolina Precision Plastics specializes in injection-molded plastics for the consumer products, cosmetics, health care and pharmaceutical industries. Headquartered in Randolph County, N.C., the company will create 150 jobs, with 65 of the new hires likely being laid-off Core Systems workers. The company will operate from the former Core Systems building in Greensboro.
“Based on our continued growth, recent acquisition and fully utilized facility, we have been active in seeking a second operating location,” Tauber said. “While our initial search focused on out-of-state facilities, the support that we have received from the state, the city and the county has enabled us to keep all of our operations in North Carolina and remain competitive with manufacturers from other states and countries.”
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