Pfizer announces closure of UK manufacturing site in Sandwich
11 September 2007
Sandwich, 11th September 2007: Pfizer has today announced its intention to cease all remaining manufacturing operations in Sandwich, Kent.
The closure of manufacturing operations at Sandwich is expected to result in the loss of approximately 420 roles, phased over the next two years.
During this period, Pfizer's priority will be to support colleagues affected by this decision, including redeployment where possible, as well as supporting colleagues with training for internal and external recruitment.
Every effort will be made to mitigate the impact on Pfizer colleagues and the local community. To this effect, the company will be working closely with local agencies as the process moves forward.
Today's announcement is the result of Pfizer's ongoing plans to consolidate worldwide manufacturing operations in order to manage global capacity and demand more efficiently. It also responds to Pfizer's continued need to establish a smaller and more flexible cost base, to ensure that it can continue to meet evolving business needs in an increasingly competitive environment for research based pharmaceuticals.
Tony Maddaluna, Vice-President of Pfizer Global Manufacturing said: "It is with regret that we announce our decision to end manufacturing operations in Sandwich after 53 years. This is the latest in a number of global manufacturing changes, to ensure we are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible and able to respond to the challenges of today's business environment."
Colin Seller, Manufacturing Site Leader at Sandwich added: "This decision is no reflection on the performance of our talented and skilled workforce at Sandwich. We recognise that this may be a difficult time for colleagues and our priority now, and over the coming weeks and months, is to support our people through this process."
Pfizer remains committed to its research and development programme at Sandwich which, as announced earlier this year, is one of Pfizer's four key global research and development sites. It is the key discovery and development site in the areas of allergy and respiratory, genitory-urinary, pain, vaccines, gastrointestinal and hepatology, and anti-retrovirals
For Further Information, please contact:
Pfizer UK Press OfficeWalton Oaks
Tel: 01737 332332
E-mail:
pressofficepgp-uk@pfizer.com
Notes to Editors:
1. Sandwich currently manufactures Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) for human and veterinary medicines. API manufacture is a high-tech, specialist process involving materials that require containment. Also located at Sandwich is a bio-process development group which develops new processes for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals using living (biological) systems, and a Process Analytical Support Group which develops novel technologies to improve process understanding and control within our plants across the world.
2. A small API development function, comprising around 10-15 roles, will remain at Sandwich to support the development of Regulatory Starting Materials. Site infrastructure services, e.g. provision of utilities, waste management, etc, will also continue at Sandwich.
3. In January 2005, Pfizer announced a rationalisation of manufacturing at Sandwich, which scaled manufacturing activity at the site, down to the area of API manufacture only (see news release of 26 January 2005 http://www.pfizer.co.uk/template2.asp?pageid=344)
About PfizerPfizer Inc, the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines in 11 therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, pain, neuroscience and infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Pfizer is also the world's largest animal health company.
Pfizer Inc employs approximately 90,000 colleagues worldwide, all of whom are devoted to working for a healthier world. Pfizer conducts more biomedical research than any other organisation, and has 12,000 professionals working in six major R&D sites worldwide, including Sandwich in Kent. Pfizer's annual UK R&D investment is more than £550 million - more than £10 million a week.
In the UK, Pfizer has its European R&D headquarters at Sandwich and its UK business headquarters in Surrey, and is the major supplier of medicines to the NHS.