West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp., one of the leading generic prescription medication providers in the U.S. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hikma PLC, announced that it is growing its existing Columbus facility by adding new machinery and equipment and making facility improvements. The company will also add 65 jobs over the course of 2017.
The expansion will allow the company to accommodate new and expanding product lines. West-Ward also has a 276,000-square-foot distribution facility in Obetz that broke ground in 2016 and will employ 30 once complete.
“Growing our manufacturing presence in Columbus will help us continue to improve our ability to deliver consistent, affordable quality products to patients across the U.S.,” said Brian Hoffmann, president, West-Ward. “Columbus’ strategic location plays a key role in our domestic presence, providing us with easy market access to our U.S. customers.”
West-Ward offers both oral solid and injectable pharmaceuticals to chain stores, wholesalers, distributors, health systems and government agencies. The company currently employs 1,255 in Columbus and has additional operations in Ohio, Tennessee and New Jersey.
“West-Ward’s recent expansion shows its continued commitment to our community,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus. “As one of the largest manufacturers in the Columbus Region, West-Ward benefits from access to customers, talented workforce and lower-than-average operating costs.”
The Columbus Region is home to more than 1,700 manufacturers, which employ more than 86,000 people.
About West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals is one of the top generic prescription medication providers in the U.S. offering both oral solid and injectable pharmaceuticals to a growing number of chain stores, wholesalers, distributors, health systems and government agencies. West-Ward is the U.S. agent and subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, and has locations around the country including in New Jersey, Tennessee and Ohio.
About Hikma
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC is a fast growing multinational group focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of both branded and non-branded generic and in-licensed products. Hikma operates through three businesses: “Injectables,” “Branded” and “Generics,” based principally in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe. In 2015, Hikma achieved revenues of $1,440 million and profit attributable to shareholders of $252 million.
About City of Columbus, Ohio
The City of Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States with a population of approximately 850,106 residents. The Columbus economy is balanced with a combination of education, technology, government, research, insurance and health care entities as major employers within the region. Columbus is gaining nationwide recognition for its historic neighborhoods, booming downtown arts and sporting districts, open attitude and a noticeably affordable quality of life. Learn more about the City of Columbus at www.columbus.gov/development/Economic-Development/.
About Columbus 2020
As the economic development organization for the Columbus Region, Columbus 2020’s mission is to generate opportunity and build capacity for economic growth across 11 Central Ohio counties. In 2010, hundreds of business and community leaders developed the Columbus 2020 Regional Growth Strategy, and the Columbus Region is now experiencing the strongest decade of growth in its history. The Columbus 2020 team conducts business outreach, promotes the Columbus Region to market-leading companies around the world, conducts customized research to better understand the Columbus Region’s competitiveness, and works to leverage public, private and institutional partnerships. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at www.ColumbusRegion.com.
AboutJobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private, non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion efforts. Learn more at www.jobs-ohio.com.