Sigma-Aldrich has announced its intent to invest in a site at the Wuxi-New District Park (WND) located northwest of Shanghai, China, for its new Asia Pacific manufacturing hub. Sigma-Aldrich has executed a memorandum of understanding with the WND authorities.
The site is to be developed in three phases. Sigma-Aldrich expects to initially invest $25 million to acquire land rights and construct its first-phase that includes a large-scale, non cGMP, multi-purpose organic manufacturing facility dedicated to supporting its SAFC(R) fine chemicals business unit. Sigma-Aldrich plans to commence construction of the new plant by year-end 2007.
When fully developed the site is expected to produce raw materials, key intermediates and final products in support of SAFC's Pharma, Hitech and Supply Solutions businesses through a manufacturing plant, and analytical, packaging and warehousing facilities.
Future development phases at the site will also support Sigma-Aldrich's Research Essentials and Research Specialties business units and include the extension of analytical, packaging and warehousing facilities for its research-based business.
Commenting on the investment, Sigma-Aldrich CEO Mr Jai Nagarkatti, said, "As part of our 2005 strategic plan, we announced our intent to increase assets in Canada, Asia-Pacific and Latin America (CAPLA) regions to support the objective of achieving 25 percent of total revenue in CAPLA markets by 2010. This investment represents a significant step toward achieving that goal, as it will help us accelerate sales growth in the Asia Pacific region while allowing us to better serve both our local and global customer base."
SAFC President Mr Frank Wicks added, "The addition of our facility in China will add essential capacity to service growing demand for SAFC products. In particular, the combination of products manufactured in China and at our European and US-based sites is expected to provide us an unparalleled competitive offering to customers across all businesses."
The development of the new China campus marks a continuation of SAFC's "build and acquire" strategy, put in place to meet the increased demands for its medicinal chemistry and cGMP manufacturing services. The site complements Sigma-Aldrich's state-of-the- art Bangalore, India facility, which commenced production in October, 2006. Representing an investment of $12 million, the 139,000 sq. ft. India site supports customers with the manufacture of small-scale, key intermediates for medicinal chemistry.