Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) announced more than $110 million of capital investments in its facilities in Fort Dodge and Ames over the next four years. BIVI is a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. BIVI is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing an extensive line of quality biological and pharmaceutical products for its core segments: cattle, swine, horses and pets. BIVI acts as a center of competence in biological research, development and manufacturing for worldwide animal health business.
“BIVI has been a great Iowa partner,” said Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. “During a recent investment mission in Europe, we had the opportunity to talk with BIVI about expanding its presence in Iowa, and today, that comes to fruition. These investments in Ames and Ft. Dodge will position BIVI for future growth in our state.”
Economic development financial assistance packages from the Iowa Economic Development Authority as well as local entities helped secure both Fort Dodge and Ames expansions. The financial assistance packages include tax credits from the High Quality Jobs program for a combined qualifying investment of nearly $98 million.
"These investments in our Fort Dodge and Ames locations support and fuel the research, development and manufacturing of solutions that prevent and treat global animal health challenges," said Albrecht Kissel, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. "We are grateful for the support we received from the State of Iowa, the City of Ames and City of Fort Dodge for these activities."
In Fort Dodge, BIVI is planning to expand capacity and modernize operations. These plans include: enhancements to its freeze drying capacity with the addition of a new line and a separate high speed fill and freeze dry suite; improvements to the performance of aging systems, equipment and other plant assets to increase the facility’s overall competitiveness; and the construction of a new Veterinary Research Center (VRC).
"I want to thank the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Director Durham and her staff for the hard work and coordination of the project,” said Matt Bemrich, Mayor of Ft. Dodge. “I also want to acknowledge the Governor's trip to Boehringer Ingelheim headquarters in Germany which is extremely important in building a strong relationship with companies that invest in our state. BIVI’s investment at its Fort Dodge facility is a vote of confidence for our community and the local BIVI employees.”
BIVI has also announced a strategic investment for its operations in Ames. Following BIVI’s acquisition of NOBL Laboratories Ames operation in 1999, its research efforts in Ames grew with successful collaboration from Iowa State University (ISU). This expansion project includes a new build-to-suit 52,088 square foot building facility on the ISU Research Park. The larger facility will allow the company to expand efforts in all five target species (swine, equine, cattle, companion animals and poultry), continue to research other diseases with an unmet therapeutic need for larger livestock and enhance privacy and security.
“This is a terrific project for Ames and the Iowa State University Research Park, and we could not be happier with the significance of this commitment by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Boehringer Ingelheim continues to be as model corporate citizen here in Ames and we are thrilled with this exciting building project and the addition of meaningful employment opportunities here in our community,” said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Economic Development Commission.