Reckitt has acquired a pharmaceutical site in Wilson, North Carolina, that will expand its US manufacturing footprint and allow it to produce Mucinex® tablets and liquids to meet increased consumer demand for cold and flu symptom relief in the United States.
Reckitt is investing £155 million ($200 million) in the site to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which will ensure a more resilient supply chain in its largest market.
Located in the vicinity of the 'Research Triangle,' one of the most important life science hubs in the United States, the Wilson factory will become Reckitt's biggest over-the-counter (OTC) manufacturing facility in the US and is expected to create nearly 300 jobs.
"Mucinex is our number one over-the-counter product in the U.S. and the number one global cough and decongestant medicine so, with the rise in demand for cold and flu relief, we are taking action to expand access to our products and build a more resilient supply chain," said Harald Emberger, chief supply officer, Reckitt. "The Wilson facility will greatly increase our Mucinex production capacity, localize more manufacturing, and enable us to better serve our customers and consumers."
"Each year, the burden of illness caused by respiratory viruses is unpredictable, and this has only intensified post pandemic," added Chris Tedesco, senior vice president, Health for North America, Reckitt.
"Demand for Mucinex products has increased over historical pre-pandemic averages, and the factory in Wilson enables us to increase access and meet future demand during in-season and off-season surges. We will service demand with greater agility, prepare for long-term growth and deliver new innovations like Mucinex Mighty Chews and Mucinex 2-in-1 Nasal Spray."
The facility is approximately 310,000 square feet and will be able to manufacture a wide range of tablets.
In the future, the facility also will have capabilities to support additional products including Move Free® and Biofreeze®.
In addition to creating hundreds of new factory jobs, the facility will also support local jobs in construction, engineering and transportation to help distribute Reckitt products across the country.
Reckitt opens its largest over-the-counter US manufacturing facility
