Keystone Today

Almac Group will be expanding its North American headquarters based in Montgomery County, which will reportedly create 355 new jobs, according to Gov. Tom Wolf's (D-PA) website.

“We are delighted to mark this next milestone of our future in Montgomery County,” said Alan Armstrong, Almac Group chairman and chief executive, according to the governor's website. “We look forward to welcoming over 350 new employees, who will be an essential part of our continued success over the next three years. Almac Group’s mission is to advance human health, and we are committed to reinvesting all of our profits back into the business to ensure we are market leading for our clients and patients and offer the best possible work environment for our people.”

The move involves the global contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company adding 100,000 square feet to its Souderton facility, which currently is 246,000 square feet. Sites in Audubon and Lansdale will be upgraded as well. The project is happening because of an increase in client demand.

“It’s truly a testament to what our commonwealth has to offer, when an internationally successful company like the Almac Group chooses to expand its North American headquarters here in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said, according to his website. “This is the company’s second expansion during my administration, and I think our pro-business climate has a great deal to do with that. Pennsylvania is a great choice for companies looking to set up shop or businesses already located here who want to grow and thrive for years to come.”

Almac Group is a Northern Ireland company that develops, manufactures and distributes a variety of essential medicines around the world. This past fiscal year, it was involved in the development of 300 lifesaving drugs in 20 therapeutic field like oncology, cardiology, immunology, neurology and gender therapy. Almac Group has been in Pennsylvania for more than two decades, and since 2011, has had a North American headquarters in Souderton.

A funding proposal of $1.775 million in Pennsylvania First funds was offered to Almac by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and it received a workforce development grant grant for $250,000 while being encouraged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit and Research and Development Tax Credit programs.

“Almac’s exciting new phase of growth in Montgomery County is a testament to the excellent workforce and exceptional quality of life our communities offer,” said David Zellers, Jr., director of commerce for Montgomery County commerce department, according to the governor's website. “Everyone on the MontCo team is appreciative of our partnership with GAT (Governor's Action Team) and DCED; working together, county and state economic development leaders make for a winning team to keep investment and growth happening to the benefit all of Pennsylvanians.”

Almac Group will be retaining 1,434 existing jobs, in addition to the new jobs created. It will be investing $93.5 million into the expansion project over a three-year period.

This project is the second of its kind by Almac since Wolf took office; the last took place in November 2016. These projects are coordinated by the GAT, which involves economic development professionals who work with Wolf and businesses when companies plan to expand and relocate within Pennsylvania. The GAT has invested $17.5 billion over seven years in support of 416 completed projects, creating 46,537 new jobs, and retaining 140,577 jobs for Pennsylvania residents.

“This GAT project represents a huge capital investment -- one of the largest in Montgomery County in recent years,” DCED Acting Secretary Neil Weaver told the governor's website. “DCED is proud to invest in the Almac Group’s headquarters expansion and the good-paying jobs that are being created and retained here in Pennsylvania.”