Pharmavite to Open in Alabama

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.Pharmavite LLC, manufacturer of Nature Made® vitamins and SOYJOY® bars, has decided to open its latest manufacturing and packaging facility in Opelika, Alabama. In opening the new facility, Pharmavite plans to capitalize on the growing global consumer trends on health and wellness and meet increased demand for its products. The company and its business partner will invest about $74 million in capital during the first year and will make additional future investments based on growth and other factors.

Our new Opelika facility will allow us to have manufacturing capacity near the East coast markets, which make up a significant portion of our business, confirmed Mark Walsh, chief operating officer of Pharmavite, who called the new facility an important step in the companys growth

The company chose the Alabama location after an extensive evaluation of several sites throughout the eastern Unites States.  The site selection process was very thorough, and we evaluated several high-quality locations, but ultimately it was clear that Opelika, Alabama was the best fit based on the criteria we established for this location, explained Ron Pillsbury, VP of operations at Pharmavite. From the high quality work force to the strong community infrastructure, Opelika met or exceeded our expectations and were excited to be joining such a great community.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley also weighed in on the opportunities the new Pharmavite facility will bring to the area. Two hundred and eighty jobs is a major announcement for any town, and these are the type of high quality jobs that we have targeted for Alabama, he said, noting Pharmavite has high standards and works hard to ensure its products are thoroughly researched and based on the latest science. We are excited and proud that we will have a global leader in the dietary supplement industry locate in Alabama and employ 280 citizens.  

Pharmavite plans to break ground on the 330,000 square foot facility later this year and become operational in early 2013. According to the company, the new facility will employ approximately 280 employees in the first year of operation and add more employees as the company grows.

Lance Buchanan, director of plant operations at Pharmavite, said the goal is to build a facility that will produce the highest quality products and serve as a model manufacturing facility for the entire vitamin and supplement industry. It will feature state-of-the-art technology and will be the first major vitamin and supplement manufacturing facility in the United States to be LEED certified, he said.