- GSK will invest over £500m in UK manufacturing, including a new £350m biopharmaceutical facility in Ulverston.
- The investment will create up to 1,000 jobs and benefit the construction industry.
- Construction of the Ulverston facility is expected to start in 2014/15 and take at least six years to complete.
- More than £100m will be invested in GSK's Scottish sites at Montrose and Irvine for respiratory medicines and antibiotics.
Investment Overview
GSK will invest over £500m in the UK to enhance production of key active ingredients for pharmaceuticals and vaccines. This includes the construction of a new £350m biopharmaceutical facility in Ulverston, Cumbria, marking the first new GSK manufacturing site in the UK in nearly 40 years. Additional investments will be made at GSK's manufacturing sites in Montrose and Irvine, Scotland.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The investments are expected to create up to 1,000 new jobs over the lifetime of the projects. The construction industry and various UK-based service and facility suppliers will also benefit from these investments. The UK Government's introduction of a 'patent box' to encourage R&D and manufacturing investment has been a significant factor in GSK's decision.
Ulverston Facility Details
Following a feasibility study in 2011, Ulverston was selected for the new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The site was chosen based on factors such as sterile processing skills, technical capability, and existing links with local suppliers and academic partners. Detailed planning and design will begin, with construction anticipated to start in 2014/15 and completion expected in at least six years.
Scottish Site Investments
GSK will invest over £100m in its Montrose and Irvine sites. Montrose will receive funding to manufacture materials for respiratory medicines and aluminium adjuvants for vaccines. Irvine will see increased production capacity for antibiotics to meet growing demand in Emerging Markets. Both sites will also benefit from investments in sustainable green energy and environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies.
Additional Investments
GSK will invest £80m in its Ware, Hertfordshire, and Barnard Castle, County Durham sites. The Ware site will increase manufacturing capacity for next-generation respiratory inhalation devices, while Barnard Castle will establish a dermatology manufacturing center of excellence.
