In recent years, Pfizer, one of America’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturers, has aggressively been expanding its U.S. footprint, adding to its more than 30,000 U.S.-based employees and 15 manufacturing facilities in 10 states and Puerto Rico. The 169-year-old American manufacturer is showing no signs of letting up—and today Pfizer made one of its most significant announcements yet.
Marking one of the largest manufacturing investments in Michigan history, Pfizer announced plans to:
- Invest more than $1.1 billion over the next six years in Kalamazoo County, Mich.;
- Increase its commitment to U.S. manufacturing with a $465 million investment to build one of the most technically advanced sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facilities in the world in Portage, Michigan; and
- Create an estimated 450 new jobs in Kalamazoo County, Mich., where the company already employs 2,200 people.
This news comes at a pivotal time for manufacturing in America. Manufacturers in the United States are experiencing record optimism, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Manufacturers, and have 441,000 job openings. But public perceptions about the industry still lag behind these optimism numbers, limiting the talent pipeline and threatening an employee shortage of as much as 2.5 million by 2025. A Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte report found that only 27 percent of parents would encourage their children to pursue a career in manufacturing, and 21 percent of Americans believe that jobs in the U.S. manufacturing sector are increasingly available and accessible.
Pfizer, however, just delivered the type of announcement that can dramatically enhance perceptions and get people thinking differently and better about modern manufacturing. From scientists to engineers and countless opportunities in between, Pfizer gave our country’s men and women and future generations career options as diverse as they are meaningful.
Simply put, Creators Wanted.
It’s incredible news for not only our nation’s youth, but also for anyone who values manufacturing in America. Pfizer’s announcement today means people will be at the core of the modern manufacturing future in our nation. People like these ….
Erin Streeter
