Shanghai, China, September 22, 2009 – West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), the global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, today announced the formal opening of its injection molding factory in the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone (SQIZ) in China.
The West Qingpu plant features advanced injection molding technologies in a world-class clean manufacturing environment. West will manufacture TrimTec® and InsoCap® closures for intravenous solution bottles. The closures help pharmaceutical companies meet the challenging drug safety standards in China designed to improve delivery of health care services. West will also export the closures to other markets in Asia, Europe and South America. West also manufactures TrimTec closures in Stolberg, Germany. The Qingpu plant is approximately 12,000 square meters (about 129,000 square feet) on a 31,590 square meter (7.8 acres) parcel. The plant currently employs 52 people and is ISO:9001 certified.
“West is experiencing an exciting period of growth in the Asia Pacific region and we are proud to open our first manufacturing operation in China,” said Donald E. Morel, Jr., West’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This facility was established in direct response to client demand, and we are committed to supporting the growth of our pharmaceutical customers in China.
“On behalf of West’s Board of Directors and our employees worldwide, I would like to thank representatives of the Chinese government and the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone, in particular, for their continued support throughout the process of planning and building the plant.”
West broke ground for the plant on January 30, 2008. Following completion of systems validation and testing, full commercial production will begin late in the third quarter of 2009. West’s presence in the Asia/Pacific market includes a factory in Singapore and sales offices in Australia, China, India and Singapore. West is also an equity partner of Daikyo Seiko, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Daikyo Seiko, founded in 1954, is a global leader in manufacturing ultra-clean pharmaceutical packaging and medical device components. The West/Daikyo relationship has been in place since 1973, encompassing a range of joint distributorship and technology licensing agreements.
About West
West’s innovative system, device and component solutions help improve the safety and administration of injectable drugs. West’s proprietary materials science, formulation research and manufacturing technologies advance the quality, therapeutic value, development speed and rapid market availability of pharmaceuticals, biologics and vaccines. Sales in 2009 totaled US$1.05 billion.
West supports its customers with sales, manufacturing, customer support and research and development from 50 locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Global headquarters are in Lionville, Penna., USA. Visit West online at www.westpharma.com.
TrimTec® and InsoCap® are registered trademarks of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions.
