Bracco announces $230 million Sanford investment, 200 jobs
Sanford's emergence as one of North Carolina's hottest markets for manufacturing jobs continued Tuesday afternoon with the announcement that global diagnostic imaging company Bracco will invest $230 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility for injectable contrast media, creating an estimated 200 jobs.
The announcement adds to a series of major economic development projects in Sanford and Lee County, including Caterpillar's recently announced more than $1 billion in investment in manufacturing and workforce development and a $600 million investment by medical technology company STERIS.
Together, the three projects represent more than $1.8 billion in announced capital investment, strengthening Sanford's position as a destination for advanced manufacturing, life sciences and high-paying technical jobs.
Bracco, an international healthcare company headquartered in Milan, Italy, selected Sanford for its skilled workforce, established life sciences industry and supportive manufacturing environment.
The new facility will manufacture injectable contrast media, specialized pharmaceutical products used during medical imaging procedures such as CT scans and MRIs to help physicians see inside the body and diagnose medical conditions.
The investment represents a major expansion of Bracco's global manufacturing operations and will bring production of essential medical products closer to hospitals and patients throughout the United States.
"For almost 100 years, Bracco has been guided by one purpose: improving people's lives. The United States is our largest market and home to many of the patients we serve," said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, vice chairman and CEO of Bracco Imaging.
"Producing injectable contrast media here in Sanford brings our supply closer to American hospitals and patients and makes it even more resilient. We chose North Carolina for its talent and life sciences ecosystem. As a family-owned company, we invest for the long term, and we look forward to growing with the Sanford community for decades to come."
The company said the facility will create approximately 200 jobs in manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, quality control, warehousing and administrative functions.
The announcement did not specify a construction timetable or the facility's exact location.
SANFORD'S MANUFACTURING BOOM
Bracco's decision comes amid an extraordinary period of industrial investment in Sanford and Lee County, with three major manufacturing announcements representing more than $1.8 billion in investment and hundreds of new jobs.
The latest announcement follows Caterpillar's recently announced $1 billion investment in manufacturing and workforce development and a $600 million investment by global healthcare company STERIS, which announced plans in August to establish a major manufacturing operation in Sanford.
STERIS, a global leader in healthcare products and services focused on infection prevention, plans to build a 600,000-square-foot Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard.
The facility will handle manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and distribution of healthcare products. The project is expected to create at least 335 full-time jobs with median annual salaries of $68,704.
STERIS expects the facility to be completed and fully staffed by 2030. The company, founded in 1985, operates in more than 35 countries and employs more than 18,000 people at approximately 250 locations.
The company will join Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Kyowa Kirin at Helix Innovation Park, further establishing the development as a center for life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
When combined with Bracco's $230 million investment and 200 projected jobs, the two healthcare manufacturing projects alone represent more than $830 million in new capital investment and at least 535 jobs.
Caterpillar's investment adds another major component to the area's manufacturing expansion.
The company previously announced plans to add approximately 600 jobs at its manufacturing operations at 5000 Womack Road in the Central Carolina Enterprise Park.
Those positions include opportunities in assembly, logistics, fabrication and other manufacturing fields, with an emphasis on developing the skilled workforce needed for increasingly sophisticated production operations.
Together, the announcements reinforce Sanford's position as one of North Carolina's fastest-growing centers for advanced manufacturing and life sciences investment.
The area's expanding industrial base includes pharmaceutical and medical technology companies such as Pfizer, Astellas Gene Therapies and Kyowa Kirin, along with Caterpillar's heavy equipment manufacturing operations.
LOCAL LEADERS WELCOME BRACCO
Chet Mann, chairman of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance board of directors, said the Bracco announcement demonstrates how Sanford is becoming a major destination for international companies.
"Bracco Imaging's decision to invest in Sanford and Lee County is another tremendous win for our community and further proof that we are becoming a major hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing," Mann said.
"When you look at companies like Astellas, Kyowa Kirin, STERIS, and now Bracco Imaging, it's clear that something special is happening here."
Mann said Sanford's appeal extends beyond its proximity to the Research Triangle.
"These companies aren't just choosing us because we're close to the Research Triangle. They're choosing Sanford because of our people, our workforce, our infrastructure, and a community that understands how to work together to get things done," he said.
"We're proud to welcome Bracco Imaging to Sanford, and we're excited about what this means for the future of Sanford and Lee County."
Lee County Board of Commissioners Chair Samantha Martin said Bracco's investment will provide new opportunities for residents seeking careers in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing.
"Bracco Imaging's project is a prime example of how the future of manufacturing is being shaped right here in Lee County, and how our citizens stand to reap the rewards," Martin said.
"Adding 200 jobs with high wages for skilled STEM-related work means that the best and brightest minds our community produces will be able to use their talents to the fullest right here at home."
Martin said attracting companies such as Bracco will help diversify Lee County's manufacturing economy and provide employment opportunities for future generations.
"By helping bring companies like Bracco Imaging to Lee County, we ensure that our manufacturing-based local economy is one with the variety of opportunities necessary for every one of our citizens, today and tomorrow, to thrive," she said.
Sanford Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon said the Bracco investment continues the community's tradition of manufacturing innovation.
"With Bracco Imaging's project announcement, our community should be incredibly proud that Sanford is once again proving a vital link in the healthcare of millions around the world," Salmon said.
"The investment and jobs from Bracco Imaging and the other healthcare companies that have chosen Sanford in recent years do more than provide new economic opportunities for our residents; they help reinforce our century-long tradition as a cutting-edge manufacturing community. Congratulations, Bracco Imaging."
Sanford Area Growth Alliance CEO Jimmy Randolph said the announcement reflects the community's growing international reputation.
"The decision by Bracco Imaging to locate their latest manufacturing facility in Sanford and Lee County is just the latest example of a major international healthcare company recognizing how much our community has to offer to the life sciences industry," Randolph said.
"Today, there are few better places for healthcare manufacturing in the United States than Sanford, Lee County, North Carolina, and we look forward to working with Bracco Imaging in the years ahead."
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT KEY TO GROWTH
The Bracco project involved cooperation among local, state and regional economic development organizations.
The Sanford Area Growth Alliance thanked the organizations that helped the company during its site selection process, including the N.C. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, N.C. General Assembly, N.C. Biotechnology Center and N.C. Community College System.
Other partners included Central Carolina Community College, the N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions, Lee County, the city of Sanford and Duke Energy.
Central Carolina Community College has played an important role in supporting the region's industrial workforce through programs in industrial systems technology, manufacturing, welding and other technical fields.
As Sanford continues to attract international manufacturers, workforce training is expected to remain a critical component of the area's economic development strategy.
Bracco's planned facility will require employees with specialized manufacturing and technical skills, adding to the demand generated by other expanding industries in Lee County.
STERIS also will require workers in manufacturing, engineering, research and development, distribution and related technical fields.
Caterpillar's investment in workforce training adds another component to the effort to develop the skilled labor force needed to support the area's growing industrial base.
The combination of these projects is expected to create additional opportunities for local residents while increasing demand for specialized training and technical education.
EXPANDING U.S. MEDICAL MANUFACTURING
Bracco's Sanford facility will complement existing manufacturing operations in Europe, Asia and Canada.
The company said establishing sterile manufacturing capacity in the United States will diversify its production network and improve its ability to meet demand for injectable contrast media.
These products are used in diagnostic imaging procedures to improve the visibility of organs, blood vessels and other internal structures, helping medical professionals identify diseases and other conditions.
The company said domestic manufacturing will strengthen supply chain reliability and improve access to essential diagnostic products.
Founded in 1927, Bracco operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 4,000 people worldwide.
The company reports annual revenue of approximately 2 billion euros and invests about 9% of its reference turnover in research and development.
Its products include contrast agents for X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasound procedures, along with molecular imaging products and artificial intelligence-based technologies.
The Sanford investment represents the company's first U.S. manufacturing operation dedicated to injectable contrast media and reflects its commitment to expanding production in its largest market.
