Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Announces West Contract Manufacturing Expansion Creating 110 Jobs In West Michigan

• Global manufacturer of injectable containment and delivery solutions and services investing $6 million, adding 110 jobs in West Michigan
• Project supports company's presence in state, further strengthens Michigan's healthcare industry

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today to announce that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., through its subsidiary West Contract Manufacturing (West), plans to expand in the city of Walker, where it will create up to 110 jobs for Michigan workers.

"The decision by West Contract Manufacturing to expand in Michigan underscores the strength of Michigan's business climate, our leadership in manufacturing across industry sectors and creates good jobs for our residents," said Governor Whitmer. "This is great news for workers, their families, and our economy as we continue putting Michiganders first."

The project is expected to be an investment of $6 million by West, supported by a 500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in other states.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.(WPS),is a global manufacturer in the design and production of technologically advanced containment and delivery services and solutions for injectable medicines. Its customers include leading biologic, generic, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. West currently has 266 employees at its Contract Manufacturing facility in the city of Walker.

The company plans to expand its operations at its existing facility in Walker, where it will add machinery and equipment as well as make improvements to the building.

"We are pleased to continue our growth in Walker, Michigan, which will help support our mission of improving patient lives around the globe. I'm proud of our team members and the work they do to support our mission," said Brian Meines, site director at West's Michigan facility. "We look forward to being able to support our local communities with more job opportunities as a result of this expansion and are excited to contribute to a continued bright future for our Walker and Grand Rapids communities."

The project will bring immediate job growth to area residents in the industries of healthcare and advanced manufacturing, and further supports the company's presence and future growth in the state. West provides job skill training, tuition reimbursement and pathways for advancement within the company.

"West's continued growth in West Michigan underscores our state's leadership in life sciences and medical device manufacturing, as well as the strength of our business climate and talented workforce," said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. "This project is a win for West Michigan and for the entire state. We appreciate the efforts of The Right Place and other local partners in supporting this project and will work with West as it continues to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents. Work remains; however, we celebrate West's vote of confidence in Michigan."

The Right Place has offered to support the project with staff time and resources. For information on careers with West, visit https://careers.westpharma.com/. 

"The decision to expand in our region reaffirms the strength of Greater Grand Rapids' rapidly advancing health science industry," said Randy Thelen, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. "West Contract Manufacturing has played an integral role in our local medical device manufacturing industry, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth in our community as they create high-tech, quality jobs."

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.