Pharmaceutical chemical supplier W.R. Grace & Co has completed a facility expansion project in South Haven. Grace executives and local community leaders recently joined more than 200 employees at the site for a ribbon cutting to mark completion of the 21-month project.
According to company officials, the expansion brings 25 percent more capacity, makes room for a new 4,000-gallon centrifuge, and three 4,000-gallon, multi-use chemical reactors. Grace executives say the new equipment puts the company in a position to strengthen their ability to serve growing demand for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Company CEO Ed Sparks said the expansion solidifies their footprint in the area and reinforces the company’s position in the industry.
“The newly expanded South Haven facility cements our position as a leading North American contract development and manufacturing organization and a leading employer in the community. Equally important, the expansion solidifies our commitment to helping our fine chemical customers bring lifesaving and life-changing drug therapies to people everywhere.”
“The additional capacity and cutting-edge equipment in South Haven bolster our ability to grow with our current and future customers through every stage of fine chemical manufacturing – from research and development to clinical trials, scale-up services and commercial production of custom molecules and compounds,” said Brenda Kelly, President, Materials Technologies.
Serving the pharmaceutical market for more than 40 years, the South Haven facility produces APIs, regulatory starting materials and drug intermediates in quantities from kilos to tons, compliant with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations. The site integrates with Grace’s Tyrone, Pennsylvania facility to offer customers flexibility in meeting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production needs with a U.S.-based supply chain.
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Pictured above: Ribbon Cutting at Grace CDMO in South Haven. Ed Sparks, CEO, Grace (center) with (from left to right): Stephen Rapundalo, President & CEO, MichBio; Kathy Wagaman, Executive Director, South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce; Kate Hosier, City Manager, City of South Haven; Annie Brown, Mayor, City of South Haven; Frank Bommarito, South Haven Plant Manager, Grace; Brenda Kelly, President, Materials Technologies, Grace; and Mark Cluff, President, Global Operations & EHSSQ, Grace. Photo credit: W.R. Grace
