A medical technology firm is to create 200 jobs in Plymouth by investing £172million into its city factory.
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) plans to pump in £172million to build eight new manufacturing lines at its site at Belliver Way, in Roborough.
The US-owed plant, part of a huge multi-national corporate, announced the plans as it rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Theresa May at a business roundtable in New York.
The investment will be made over four years, and will build manufacturing lines for the company’s unique blood collection technology, which helps healthcare providers diagnose disease.
Mike Fairbourn, BD Vice president and general manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “Our UK facility in Plymouth has a proven track record in manufacturing high-quality, large volume, medical technology with globally competitive efficiency.
“We have a fantastic workforce in South West England and value our responsive and supportive local partners, all reasons why we continue to invest in the area.”
The Plymouth plant produces a broad range of blood and urine collection products, including the BD Vacutainer Blood Collection Tubes and Needles, and the BD Critical Collection Syringes.
BD Vacutainer Blood Collection tubes are used to help in patient diagnosis and treatment around the world and is exported to Europe, Japan and China.
In 2013 BD was named manufacturer of the year at the Herald Business Awards after investing £9.5million into building a steriliser unit which enabled the firm to double production, securing the future for its 600-strong workforce.
Mrs May was using the powwow as a platform to discuss upcoming trading and investment opportunities as the UK attempts to get to grips with life after leaving the European Union.
Trade talks... in USA are being led by PM Theresa May
Mrs May was aiming to convince investors that the UK economy remains strong and prospects for post-Brexit trade and investment are booming.
Mr May said: “The UK is at the cutting-edge of medical research and technology and this investment is a prime example of the confidence major global foreign firms have that the UK has the right workforce and expertise to deliver on pioneering new projects.
“It’s great news for Plymouth that 200 new jobs for local people will come about as a result of BD’s expansion at its Roborough site.
“I have been using my trip to Canada and the United States to speak to major investors and show that opportunities that lie ahead in the UK economy are vast.”
BD, which has its headquarters in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and operations in more than 50 countries, is among the world’s leading medical device producers and its chairman and chief executive Vincent A Forlenza, was at the New York meeting.
BD’s Plymouth plant became operational in 1981. Starting with a single building employing about 80 people, it has grown significantly.
Meanwhile, foreign direct investments across the South West have been growing, figures show.
In 2016/17 there were 101 projects and 3,402 jobs created in the region by overseas firms – up from 89 projects and 2,434 jobs in the previous year.
The UK’s Department for International Trade has been working with major firms interested in UK investment opportunities.