Sanford, NC – Bracco Imaging, a multinational life sciences company and a world leader in imaging diagnostic products, contrast agents, medical devices, and related solutions for health care providers, today announced their plan to invest approximately $230 million to establish a new sterile manufacturing plant in Sanford, Lee County, North Carolina. Its new facility will be responsible for the manufacturing of contrast media. The project will support at least 200 jobs which could create a potential annual payroll impact of more than $20.6 million for the region and is expected to be fully staffed by 2031.
Milan-based Bracco Imaging, founded in 1927, specializes in technologies and agents that enable medical imaging such as X-Rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs. It employs more than 4,000 workers globally with production facilities in Europe, Asia, and Canada, and operates in the healthcare sectors of more than 100 countries.
Sanford and Lee County competed for this project with multiple locations, domestically and internationally. The community’s robust pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, skilled workforce and training pipelines, and business-friendly environment, as well as the presence of existing healthcare manufacturers such as Astellas, Kyowa Kirin, and STERIS were significant factors in Bracco Imaging’s decision to locate here.
The Sanford Area Growth Alliance (SAGA) would like to thank all the individuals and organizations who worked alongside SAGA to assist the company in the site selection process that ultimately resulted in today’s announcement. In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Community College System, Central Carolina Community College, the County of Lee, the City of Sanford, and Duke Energy.
Response from Local Leaders
Lee County Board of Commissioners Chair Samantha Martin: “Bracco Imaging’s project is a prime example of how the future of manufacturing is being shaped right here in Lee County, and how our citizens stand to reap the rewards. Adding 200 jobs with high wages for skilled STEM-related work means that the best and brightest minds our community produces will be able to use their talents to the fullest right here at home. By helping bring companies like Bracco Imaging to Lee County, we ensure that our manufacturing-based local economy is one with the variety of opportunities necessary for every one of our citizens, today and tomorrow, to thrive.”
City of Sanford Mayor Rebecca Salmon: “With Bracco Imaging’s project announcement, our community should be incredibly proud that Sanford is once again proving a vital link in the healthcare of millions around the world. The investment and jobs from Bracco Imaging and the other healthcare companies that have chosen Sanford in recent years do more than provide new economic opportunities for our residents; they help reinforce our century-long tradition as a cutting-edge manufacturing community. Congratulations, Bracco Imaging.”
SAGA Board of Directors Chair Chet Mann: “Bracco Imaging’s decision to invest in Sanford and Lee County is another tremendous win for our community and further proof that we are becoming a major hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing. When you look at companies like Astellas, Kyowa Kirin, STERIS, and now Bracco Imaging, it’s clear that something special is happening here. These companies aren’t just choosing us because we’re close to the Research Triangle. They’re choosing Sanford because of our people, our workforce, our infrastructure, and a community that understands how to work together to get things done. We’re proud to welcome Bracco Imaging to Sanford, and we’re excited about what this means for the future of Sanford and Lee County.”
SAGA CEO Jimmy Randolph: “The decision by Bracco Imaging to locate their latest manufacturing facility in Sanford and Lee County is just the latest example of a major international healthcare company recognizing how much our community has to offer to the life sciences industry. Today, there are few better places for healthcare manufacturing in the United States than Sanford, Lee County, North Carolina, and we look forward to working with Bracco Imaging in the years ahead.”
About the Sanford Area Growth Alliance
The Sanford Area Growth Alliance is a private not-for-profit organization leveraging public and private investment to expand and diversify the economic base of Lee County, the City of Sanford and the Town of Broadway. Sanford and Lee County’s strategic location in the geographic center of NC is less than 40 minutes from the Research Triangle Park, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and NC State University, and a vital part of both the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and the NC Carolina Core.
About Bracco
Bracco Group, founded in 1927, is a global leader in diagnostic imaging committed to advancing healthcare and improving people’s lives by shaping the future of prevention and precision medicine.
The company operates in the healthcare sector in more than 100 countries, with a workforce of over 4,000 employees and consolidated annual revenues of approximately €2 billion, with a global footprint.
With a strong commitment to innovation, investing around 9% of its reference turnover in research and development, Bracco develops and provides a broad portfolio of pharmaceutical products for diagnostic imaging, including contrast agents for X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as microbubbles for contrast-enhanced ultrasound and molecular imaging agents such as radioactive tracers and novel positron emission tomography imaging agents, alongside artificial intelligence-based solutions. It is also a global market leader in advanced contrast management technologies for cardiovascular angiography and radiology imaging.
Discover more at www.bracco.com.