The new facility will be a hub for its supply chain, serving as a final-stage manufacturing and sterilisation centre,
BD Veritor Plus System for SARS-CoV-2 screening. (Credit: BD)
US-based medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) has unveiled its plans to invest $65m to build an advanced facility in Tucson, Arizona.
The new 120,000ft2 facility is planned to be constructed on a site spanning around 32 acres area, located in the northeast corner of Valencia and Kolb Road.
BD said that the its new facility will be a hub for its supply chain, serving as a final-stage manufacturing and sterilisation centre, and will be operational in mid-2022.
The company intends to add around 40 new jobs, including engineers, scientists, quality control specialists and other skilled talent, for its new facility.
BD integrated supply chain executive vice president Alexandre Conroy said: “Tucson is the ideal location for critical infrastructure and was selected after a careful review of a number of alternative locations in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
“Arizona’s favorable business climate, the strength of its workforce and Tucson’s centrality to other parts of BD’s supply chain were key factors in the decision.”
BD operates more than 90 medical device and health care technology manufacturing and sterilisation facilities worldwide.
The company said that the investment in its in-house capacity for manufacturing and sterilisation is part of its response to Covid-19 and commitment to public health.
Through the new facility, BD intends to advance its goals of improved overall operational efficiency, customer service levels and supply chain resilience.
The new facility is expected to expand the company’s footprint in Arizona, which includes a $1bn BD Peripheral Intervention business unit headquartered in Tempe.
Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson, Pima County, Pima Community College, Tucson Electric Power, Southwest Gas, Lumen, Primus Builders partnered in the project.
Also, Perry Engineering, Azbil Telstar, Lesni, Advanced Air Technologies, Cushman & Wakefield/PICOR and JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) are also among the project partners.
Conroy added: “Tucson’s economic transformation is a national success story, and BD is excited to be part of it.
“We have worked closely with Mayor Romero and the city government to identify this site and ensure its compatibility with our planned work and with the city’s vision for the area.
“Tucson will become a crucial part of the manufacturing of medical devices and the resilience needed within our health care supply chain.”
Separately, BD has secured the emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rapid antigen test to be used for SARS-CoV-2 screening through serial testing of asymptomatic individuals.