ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.