Alcon Inc. announced that the company plans to expand its medical device manufacturing facility in Cabell County, W.Va. The company hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 19 to formally mark the commencement of this important new facility. At the ceremony, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III, Alcon chief executive officer Cary Rayment and HADCO president Gerald McDonald, among others, spoke about the impact of this expansion for the company and the community.
"Alcon is a world leader in this field and this expansion will keep them at the forefront of intraocular lens technology and manufacturing," said Governor Manchin. "We're delighted our strong workforce and business climate have played a part in their growth, and the entire region will benefit from even more good jobs that Alcon brings with this announcement."
Alcon is currently in the planning and design phase of the project and will spend more than $25 million during the first phase of development. The new 74,000-square-foot building will be fully functional by 2011 and will allow Alcon's Huntington area operations to remain the world's largest intraocular lens (IOL) manufacturing site. Once completed, the expansion ultimately will provide more than 350 jobs over the next 10 to 15 years.
"We are very excited about our expansion and what it will mean for our customers, employees and the community," said Cary Rayment, Alcon's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With this additional capacity and growth in our skilled workforce, we will be able to meet the growing global demand for advanced cataract surgical products."
Alcon's manufacturing facility currently produces millions of IOLs and surgical delivery systems annually. These small artificial lenses replace the clouded natural lens after it is removed during cataract surgery, while the delivery systems aid in the surgical procedure. In order to meet the needs of the growing global market in cataract surgery, Alcon purchased the 21-acre site in Cabell County, with an option to purchase an additional eight acres in the future.
"Alcon has been a vital member of the Huntington area for many years," said Gerald McDonald, HADCO president. "This expansion is due, in part, to their commitment to innovation and quality manufacturing practices. We are proud to have assisted in the expansion of this world-class organization."
In conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, Alcon will also celebrate its 30th year of IOL manufacturing and innovation in the state of West Virginia.
Alcon is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2007. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for 60 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.