West To Open Manufacturing Facility in India

West Pharmaceutical India Packaging Private Ltd., a subsidiary of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., began construction of a new compression molding facility in Sri City, India, which will become part of West’s global supply chain for its pharmaceutical packaging components. In June, West signed a 99-year lease on 72,800 square meters of land in the Sri City Special Economic Zone (SEZ). 
 
“We are experiencing a very exciting period of growth and business expansion in Asia and we are proud to begin construction of our first facility in India,” said Donald E. Morel, Jr., West’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The plant in India will help West meet market demand and establishes a West presence near our pharmaceutical customers in India.”
 
The first phase of construction will include 15,300 square meters, with commercial production of metal components expected to begin in 1Q14. Production of a range of West’s elastomeric components is expected to begin in 1Q15. The capability to produce ready-to-sterilize components will be available by 2016. Once completed, the built-up area for the plant and office will reach 37,700 square meters by 2023.
 
West plans to file Drug Master Files for the plant with the U.S. FDA and Heath Canada’s Bureau of Pharmaceutical Sciences.