Hospira Unveils New Quality Laboratory

Hospira, Inc. has unveiled a new quality and analytical testing laboratory at its Rocky Mount, N.C., plant in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and other local and state government leaders.

The ceremony highlighted the importance of the quality laboratory, and all of the capital improvements at the plant, to Hospira, the local community and patients around the globe.

"Rocky Mount's new laboratory, coupled with our investments throughout the plant, will help ensure that we continue to supply high-quality, more affordable medicines to customers and patients who need them," said Marty Nealey, vice president, Rocky Mount Operations, Hospira.

Nealey continued, "Through advanced technology and additional space, we've been able to gradually increase our production levels and ensure more consistent release of products, ultimately supporting our ability to provide a more sustainable supply of many life-impacting drugs. I'm very proud of all of the team members here at Rocky Mount and very thankful for the support of this community and our state in furthering our commitment to advancing wellness."

Part of Hospira's more than $200 million investment at Rocky Mount, which includes significant capital investments, this new, quality laboratory will be home to 200 employees, responsible for evaluating and testing more than 450 different products.

The laboratory features the latest technology and advancements in quality and analytical testing and inspection.

The construction of the quality laboratory was made possible, in part, by local and state incentives, including a grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Since the grant was awarded, Hospira has added nearly 200 jobs to the Rocky Mount plant overall.

"Creating jobs in North Carolina is one of my top priorities and I would like to thank Hospira for its investment in Rocky Mount and North Carolina," said Governor Pat McCrory. "We have a very strong and talented workforce that will provide Hospira with skilled workers that they are looking for. We look forward to a great relationship and watching the company grow here in North Carolina."

The opening of the quality lab and other improvements at the Rocky Mount plant are part of a broad effort by Hospira to ensure consistent access to its more affordable, high-quality drugs.

"For nearly 80 years, Hospira has been an integral part of the healthcare system, serving hundreds of millions of patients with affordable drugs and delivery systems worldwide," said F. Michael Ball, chief executive officer, Hospira, at today's ceremony.

Ball continued, "We are investing more than $1 billion globally to not only serve the patients and hospitals that depend on us with high-quality products in sustainable supply today, but also to make sure that our central role in this system remains vibrant in the future."