PCI Pharma is expanding again in Rockford. Here's what that means
More jobs will be coming to Rockford after PCI Pharma Services breaks ground this year on a new $50 million, 200,000-square-foot facility.
Here's what you need to know.
What is PCI Pharma?
Packaging Coordinators Inc. provides packaging services for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, working with leading Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies to bring lifesaving medicines to patients.
PCI has several facilities in the Rockford region, including a 720,000-square-foot campus on Assembly Drive near the Chicago Rockford International Airport.
Rockford is the largest of PCI’s 30 locations across the U.S., European, and Asia Pacific regions.
More: PCI Pharma Services adds Machesney Park site
What will they do at the new facility?
Gil Valadez, PCI's senior vice president of commercial packaging technology, said the new Rockford facility will enhance company's presence in the Midwest and will provide PCI a second hub within the U.S.
The facility will have extensive product testing capability, state-of-the art top-load cartoning technology and injector and pen assembly equipment. Additional capabilities include on-site cold storage, high-speed vial labeling, assembly, and packaging of multiformat autoinjectors, serialization, testing, and drug product release.
Where will the new facility be located?
PCI officials said they are eyeing several locations in Rockford and plan to make a decision in April. Meanwhile, city officials recently approved a zoning change to a site linked to PCI Pharma at 4970 Linden Road.
How many new jobs will the new facility bring to the Rockford area?
The new facility bring 250 to 300 jobs over the next two years.
How many people does PCI currently employ in Rockford?
1,900
What's the salary range for these jobs?
"Our opportunities are quite competitive in the local market, and these will be full-time jobs," Valadez said.
What type of jobs will be offered?
Engineering and supervisory management roles, but the bulk majority will be entry-level positions.
What kind of education and training is needed for these jobs?
"We hire folks out of high school. We hire folks with some trade background, and we hire folks with every level of degree and in between," Valadez said. "So, there will be great opportunities for folks at all levels."
How soon do you hope to break ground?
Plans are to break ground this year and to occupy the facility in late summer 2024.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Pharmaceutical company expanding, bringing more jobs to Rockford
