DE: Datwyler Opens New $101M Health Care Plant

Datwyler strengthens its position in the USA, the world's largest pharmaceutical market. The new Health Care plant with First Line Standard in Middletown, Delaware, was officially opened in the presence of cus-tomer representatives. Since the announcement in autumn 2016, Datwyler has invested more than CHF 100 million (Swiss Franc equivalent to U.S. $101.62M) in the new plant to produce high-quality elastomer components for the fast-growing biotech and pharmaceutical markets. The new production capacity will enable Datwyler to increase its global First Line volume by 50% by 2020 and accelerate profitable growth.

With the opening of the First Line plant in Middletown, USA, Datwyler is further expanding its presence and capacity in the world's largest pharmaceutical market. First Line is Datwyler's most advanced manufacturing concept for high-quality elastomer components for the fast-growing global biotech and pharmaceutical markets.

Increase of First Line production capacity by 50% by 2020 
Construction of the Middletown facility began in December 2016 and since then Datwyler has invested more than CHF 100 million in the construction of the state-of-the-art plant. Some 120 people will be employed at the new location. In the fourth quarter, certification will be carried out by customers before series production starts at the beginning of 2019. With the existing First Line capacities in Belgium and the recently expanded First Line capacities in India, Datwyler will in future be able to serve customers in the three most important economic regions, namely the USA, Europe and Asia, with locally produced First Line components. The new production capacity will enable Datwyler to increase its global first line volume by 50% by 2020 and accelerate profitable growth.

State-of-the-art standard for high-quality elastomer components
The First Line standard is an advanced manufacturing concept for high-quality elastomer components with state-of-the-art clean room technology, automatic production cells, fully automatic camera inspection and a unique washing process. The innovative manufacturing concept exceeds the highest quality standards of the European and American regulatory authorities and is certified according to ISO 15378.

Leading partner of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
Datwyler has been a leading partner to global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for more than 40 years. Datwyler’s Sealing Solutions division offers its customers a wide range of specialized and unique elas-tomer compounds, coatings and production standards. The high-quality components make it possible to efficiently prepare injectable drugs in modern administration systems such as prefilled syringes or pens and ad-minister them safely to patients.

Datwyler Group (www.datwyler.com) 
The Datwyler Group is a focused industrial supplier with leading positions in global and regional market segments. With its technological leadership and customised solutions, the Group delivers added value to customers in the markets served. Datwyler concentrates on markets that offer opportunities to create more value and sustain profitable growth. The Sealing Solutions division is a leading supplier of custom sealing solutions to global market segments, such as the health care, automotive, civil engineering and consumer goods industries. The Technical Components division is one of Europe’s foremost high-service distributors of maintenance, automation, electronic and ICT components and accessories. With a total of some 50 operating companies, sales in over 100 countries and more than 8'000 employees, the Datwyler Group generates annual revenue of some CHF 1’300 million. The Group has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1986 (security number 3048677).