Healthcare company plans 600,000-square-foot manufacturing, distribution campus in Lee County – The North State Journal

Sanford in Lee County is set for a major new investment from healthcare company STERIS. (Indy beetle via Wikimedia Commons)

SANFORD — Global healthcare company STERIS plans to invest $600 million in a new manufacturing and distribution campus in Sanford, a project expected to create 335 jobs and further expand Lee County’s growing advanced manufacturing sector.

Gov. Josh Stein announced the project last week, saying the company will establish a 600,000-square-foot Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence that will include manufacturing, research and development, laboratory, warehouse and distribution operations.

The new jobs will have an average annual salary of $68,704, above Lee County’s average wage of $59,903, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. At full employment, the project could generate an annual payroll of more than $23 million.

“STERIS is making a major investment in North Carolina, which reinforces our state’s reputation as a powerhouse in the life sciences industry,” Stein said. “Decades of excellence in manufacturing and innovation have developed the world-class talent, research and supply chain that continues to attract global companies and drive long-term economic growth across our state.”

Founded in 1985, STERIS provides products and services used in patient care, with a particular focus on infection prevention. The company employs more than 18,000 people at roughly 250 locations in more than 35 countries.

The Sanford facility will consolidate and expand portions of the company’s formulated chemistries manufacturing and distribution operations as STERIS looks to increase U.S. production capacity.

“After extensive analysis of our existing facilities and customer demand, we have decided to make a significant investment in the United States to support our long-term global growth,” STERIS President and CEO Dan Carestio said.

Carestio said the new center will allow the company to accelerate product development, increase capacity, and improve its U.S. manufacturing and distribution network.

“Our customers save lives every day, and with this investment we will be well positioned to support their needs for years to come,” he said.

The project is being supported by a Job Development Investment Grant approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee.

Under the 12-year agreement, STERIS could receive as much as $3.21 million in reimbursements from the state if it meets required job creation and investment targets. Payments are made only after the departments of Commerce and Revenue verify the company has met those benchmarks.

State officials estimate the project will increase North Carolina’s economy by about $1.8 billion over the life of the grant.

Commerce estimates the project will generate $4.25 in state revenue for every $1 in potential state cost, representing a projected return on investment of 325%.

Because Lee County is classified as a Tier 2 county under the state’s economic development ranking system, as much as $357,000 tied to the grant could also be directed to North Carolina’s Industrial Development Fund Utility Account. The fund helps communities pay for infrastructure improvements used to recruit or expand businesses.

The STERIS announcement adds another large manufacturing investment to the Sanford area, which has attracted a series of life sciences, pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing projects in recent years.

“STERIS’ decision to make its Center of Excellence in Lee County affirms the region’s emergence as a premier hub for advanced manufacturing,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said.

The state worked with a broad group of local and regional partners on the project, including the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, N.C. Biotechnology Center, Central Carolina Community College, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, Lee County and the city of Sanford.

Transportation and utility partners include the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division, North Carolina Railroad Company, Norfolk Southern, TriRiver Water and Duke Energy.

“This landmark investment and expansion mark an exciting new chapter for both the company and our community, creating opportunities for shared growth and long-term economic prosperity,” state Sen. Jim Burgin said.

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Fulflex Acquires 300,000-Square-Foot Texas Medical Manufacturing Facility to Expand U.S. Healthcare Platform

Fulflex Acquires 300,000-Square-Foot, Fully Automated Medical Products Manufacturing Facility In Texas

Fulflex has completed the acquisition of a 300,000-square-foot medical products manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Texas, significantly expanding its North American production capacity and reinforcing its strategy to build a larger global healthcare manufacturing platform.

Located on a 30-acre campus, the facility becomes one of Fulflex’s largest and most advanced manufacturing sites worldwide. The acquisition also brings more than 250 employees into the company, strengthening its manufacturing workforce while establishing a larger operational presence in East Texas.

The Jacksonville facility produces a broad range of medical products used by healthcare providers and patients globally. Its manufacturing capabilities include plastics injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, extrusion, automated assembly and other advanced production technologies, enabling Fulflex to increase output while supporting customers with scalable, high-quality manufacturing solutions.

“This is an exciting day for Fulflex and for the Jacksonville community,” said Diya Garware Ibanez, Chairperson of Fulflex. “We are delighted to officially welcome the Jacksonville team into the Fulflex family. This acquisition reflects our confidence in the exceptional people, the advanced manufacturing capabilities of this facility, and the long-term future of healthcare manufacturing in East Texas. We are committed to investing in this facility, creating new opportunities for our employees, supporting our customers with world-class manufacturing, and contributing positively to the Jacksonville community for many years to come.”

The acquisition expands Fulflex’s manufacturing footprint across North America while increasing capacity in polymer processing, medical device manufacturing and automated production. The additional facility also enhances supply chain resilience by providing greater geographic diversification and production flexibility for customers operating in global healthcare markets.

The investment aligns with Fulflex’s long-term strategy of expanding through advanced manufacturing assets that strengthen operational scale and support growing demand for medical products. The company said it plans to build on the Jacksonville facility’s existing capabilities through continued investments in manufacturing technology, quality systems, operational excellence and workforce development.

“Every acquisition begins and ends with people,” Garware Ibanez said. “The dedication, experience, and commitment of the Jacksonville employees are the foundation of this facility’s success. We are honored that so many talented people have chosen to continue this journey with us, and we look forward to building an organization where our employees can grow, our customers can succeed, and our community can thrive.”

The transition was formally marked with a community event attended by employees, customers, local officials and business leaders, underscoring the company’s commitment to maintaining the facility’s operations while investing in its long-term growth.

Following the acquisition, Fulflex operates 14 locations worldwide, including four manufacturing facilities in the United States, one manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic, two manufacturing facilities in India, and seven sales offices and distribution centers across eight countries. The company’s global network serves customers in more than 85 countries, providing medical products and engineered polymer solutions for applications spanning medical devices, patient care, rehabilitation and personal protective equipment.

By expanding its U.S. manufacturing base with one of its largest production facilities, Fulflex is positioning itself to support increasing demand from healthcare customers while strengthening its role as a global contract manufacturing partner with enhanced capacity, operational flexibility and regional supply chain capabilities.

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