HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell said that by leveraging its resources, the commonwealth is helping one of the world’s top 10 medical device manufacturers, B. Braun of America Inc., expand its operations in the state. The company is expected to invest more than $80 million in the region and create 300 jobs within three years.
“Having a leading global manufacturer like B. Braun choose to invest and grow in Pennsylvania is great news for the Lehigh Valley and the state,” said Rendell. “The company could have relocated outside the commonwealth, but chose to stay here because of our competitive business environment. That decision means tens-of-millions-of-dollars for our economy and new opportunities for hundreds of our hardworking men and women.”
With the help of a $6.7 million state investment, B. Braun will undertake a two-part construction and expansion project that is estimated to cost more than $100 million. The company will expand its current manufacturing facility in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and plans to construct a new plant on 26 acres adjacent to that property. The new facility will support production activities for the firm’s I.V. Solutions line of intravenous medical supplies.
Once completed, the company will create 300 new jobs within three years and retain 2,000 existing positions.
“Each day, we’ve worked to attract new businesses and help our existing companies grow and expand,” added Rendell. “By cutting business taxes, putting new resources into our communities, and investing in our companies and people, we’ve been able to revitalize Pennsylvania’s economy. It’s this formula that has led us to be recognized as the top location for manufacturing projects in the U.S. and Canada by IBM Plant Location International.”
“We are having tremendous success in the U.S. market with our high quality, safe and innovative medical devices,” said Caroll Neubauer, chief executive officer of B. Braun of America. “As a result, expanding our manufacturing capabilities to meet growing customer demand in the U.S. and abroad is a strategic necessity. Pennsylvania, as B. Braun’s ‘home state,’ was our first choice and we thank Governor Rendell and his team for their partnership in this strategic expansion project.”
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation supported B. Braun’s efforts to obtain a $6,735,000 investment from the commonwealth that includes $4 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants, $2 million through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, $135,000 in Customized Job Training funds, and $600,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits.
Citizens Job Bank also approved B. Braun for a $10 million loan through the Citizens Job Bank program, which offers low-interest-rate loans to companies that commit to creating or expanding jobs in Pennsylvania.
“B. Braun is a leader in medical devices and we are fortunate that the company is expanding in Pennsylvania,” said Stephen D. Steinour, chairman and chief executive officer of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. “I congratulate B. Braun for helping us take another step toward our commitment to help create new jobs through the Citizens Job Bank. Citizens Bank is pleased to offer such a program to Pennsylvania’s businesses and to assist in the expansion of the workforce.”
State support for the project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, economic development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell and serve as a single point-of-contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. The team works with domestic and international businesses and professional site consultants on projects possessing significant investment and job creation opportunities.
Statewide, 728 GAT projects have been successfully completed since 2003 resulting in commitments for the creation of 74,403 new jobs and the retention of more than 188,000 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $1.29 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $8 billion in additional investment.
Established in 1839, B. Braun has built an unparalleled store of knowledge and expertise in delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs that enhance both patient and health-professional safety. Its 30,000 employees worldwide are proud of their commitment to translating customer needs into products with unmatched quality, superior technology, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.