Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD), a leading global medical technology company, joined government officials from Mexico and Baja California to inaugurate a new plant in Tijuana that will produce devices and technologies that will help improve drug safety within healthcare settings. The investment was USD$38.6 million.
The new 15,775 square meter facility is expected to create 500 new jobs over the next two years. Phase I of the facility will create 75 jobs that will be responsible for manufacturing automated dispensing cabinets used by healthcare professionals to dispense medications to patients.
The devices will be exported to countries in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
On behalf of the Government of Baja California, the presidium was made up of Rodolfo Andrade Pelayo, Undersecretary of Investment Management of the Secretary of Economy and Innovation representing the Governor of the State, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda; Christopher McHone, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs; C.P.A. Erwin Areizaga, representing the Secretary of Health of the State of Baja California, Dr. Adrián Medina Amarilla; and Deputy Evangelina Moreno Guerra, Secretary of the Northern Border Affairs Commission.
Representing BD were Philippe Domenge, Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain of the Medical Segment at BD; Punnet Sarin, President of Medication Management Solutions; Todd Spangler, Vice President of Government Relations.
Also, Reginald Mingot Blanc, Vice President of Operations and Integrated Supply Chain, Julio Duclos, Vice President, and General Manager of Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America; and Michael Garrison, EVP & President of BD’s Medical Segment.
“The new plant in Tijuana is BD’s twelfth in Mexico. It is a testament to our commitment to the country and the strong relationship we have built-in communities over the past 65 years. BD’s 17,000 employees in Mexico are focused on producing high-quality medical devices that are used by healthcare providers and patients around the world. We hope to continue growing in the country”, said Julio Duclos, Vice President, and General Director of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America at BD.
The infrastructure expansion in Tijuana, Baja California, is part of a four-year strategic plan in which the company will invest USD$1.2 billion to expand and improve its technology and production capacity in various regions of the world, including Mexico.
“BD has been a leader in leveraging cross-border efficiencies being created in the Tijuana-San Diego region and this new facility will continue to help the company streamline our operations by combining a manufacturing site, distribution center and the means to deliver products to the final customer in one place.
With this, BD can continue to focus on advancing the world of healthcare by developing new technologies that improve the way medicines are stored, dispensed, and administered to help ensure optimal outcomes,” said Puneet Sarin, President of Solutions of Medication Administration for BD.
At the new plant, steps will be taken to obtain the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Risk and Management, Safe Company, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, Clean Industry, Smoke-Free Company C-TPAT, BSI certifications ISO 13485, MDSAP, CSA and Intertek.
For his part, the Undersecretary of Investment Management of Baja California, Rodolfo Andrade Pelayo, indicated that “there is a positive perspective since we see that companies established in Baja California, such as Becton Dickinson, are expanding with new lines of business and considering integrate regional suppliers. We reiterate respect for the rule of law for an environment of trust that encourages investment”.
