AstraZeneca invests a further £75m at Macclesfield site

AstraZeneca are investing £75m in the construction of a new state of the art packing and warehouse facility.

This is in addition to investments in a new sterile production facility and the refurbishments of two other buildings that see the total recent investments at its Macclesfield site rise to £197m.

Hurdsfield, a major manufacturing facility for AstraZeneca, is the largest pharmaceutical plant in the UK.  Medicines from the site are sent throughout the world – making up 1% of the whole of the UKs exports of goods.

Marc Jones, Regional VP for AstraZeneca said: “This investment confirms the significance of Macclesfield as a major manufacturing facility and the commitment of the company to the North West.”

The new facilities will be built on the site of an existing old warehouse and will consist of hi-tech packing lines for tablets and capsules and an automated warehouse.

Work has already begun on demolishing the old warehouse and construction will begin early in the New Year.  The programme is expected to complete early 2019.

Andy Evans, Head of Macclesfield site said: “Naturally, all the work will be undertaken in such a way as to ensure continuity of supply of medicines to patients.  We will also make sure there is the minimum of disturbance to our neighbours.”

MP for Macclesfield, David Rutley added:  “I welcome this further major new investment by AstraZeneca. It is a real vote of confidence in Macclesfield and in our highly skilled workforce. The decision is a real boost to the local economy and strongly supports the Cheshire Science Corridor strategy. I am most grateful for all the hard work of the AstraZeneca team in Macclesfield for making this possible.”