Novartis confirms expansion of production in Prevalje
A new facility for the production of broad-spectrum antibiotic is to be built on land adjacent to the existing production location.
"The investment will expand existing capacity," Novartis's Slovenian subsidiary Lek said in a press release. Production is to be launched in 2019 and then ramped up through 2023.
While Lek did not specify the details of the investment, local media reports indicate the investment could add 150 jobs to a workforce that numbered 246 at the end of last year.
Prevalje reportedly competed against several Novartis locations for the investment. The location specialises in the production of penicillin-based broad-spectrum antibiotic that is sold on 60 markets.
"Demand has been growing and to satisfy it we have introduced numerous process improvements over the recent years. We are satisfied that Novartis opted for this investment as the expansion of capacity will drive the continued development of the location and employment," Lek said.
Novartis has spent over EUR 30m on its Prevalje location in the past ten years, according to Lek. Since it acquired Lek in 2003 it has invested EUR 1.9bn in Slovenia, including almost EUR 170m last year.
Lek representatives presented the plans to local officials in Prevalje today. Mayor Matic Tasič said the expansion of production would be a boon not only for the region but also for Slovenia as a whole.
The investment will create new jobs for highly skilled youths who tend to look for job opportunities abroad and provide an additional boost to plans to build an expressway to the Koroško region, he said.