Johnson & Johnson Begins Construction on $2 Billion Manufacturing Facility in North Carolina

Johnson & Johnson has officially commenced construction on a new $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility located in Wilson, North Carolina. This facility is part of the company’s larger plan to invest $55 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.

The facility will cover 500,000 square feet and aims to enhance Johnson & Johnson’s capability to develop and produce cutting-edge therapies focused on oncology, immunology, and neurological diseases. Upon its completion, the facility is projected to provide over 500 jobs and contribute around $3 billion to North Carolina's economy within its first decade.

Jennifer Taubert, the executive vice president and worldwide chair of J&J Innovative Medicine, expressed excitement about the investment: "We are pleased to make this significant investment in our manufacturing network in the United States. This state-of-the-art biologics facility in North Carolina will help Johnson & Johnson to accelerate the delivery of our portfolio and pipeline of transformational medicines for patients. This $2 billion investment will bring more than 5,000 high-wage manufacturing and construction jobs to North Carolina, and the partnerships we are forging in the community will support local educational initiatives to develop the workforce of the future."

The new facility will add to Johnson & Johnson’s existing 22 manufacturing sites in the U.S. The construction phase alone is expected to create approximately 5,000 construction jobs.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has welcomed Johnson & Johnson, highlighting the role of Wilson as a significant hub for life sciences. He stated, "I am excited to welcome Johnson & Johnson as it expands its manufacturing footprint in our state. I look forward to seeing the impact this investment will have on medical innovation and North Carolina’s workforce."

Community Engagement and Workforce Development

Beyond the benefits of job creation and enhanced infrastructure, Johnson & Johnson has also announced plans to engage with the local community through workforce development initiatives. These programs will focus on local students and will include expanded STEM education in Wilson County Schools through a partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Additionally, a BioWork certificate program, developed with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Wilson Community College, will be rolled out in high schools across Wilson County to equip students with the necessary skills for careers in the life sciences sector.

Dapo Ajayi, vice president of Innovative Medicine Supply Chain at Johnson & Johnson, emphasized the significance of this investment: "Johnson & Johnson is a recognized industry leader in pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing, and we are proud to be part of the Wilson community. This is a major investment and an exciting time as we start construction on this advanced manufacturing facility, using the latest technology and building a highly skilled workforce to deliver on our promise to patients."

This groundbreaking follows Johnson & Johnson’s announcement of its expanded U.S. investment strategy, which focuses on advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and research infrastructure aimed at treating diseases in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular conditions, and robotic surgery.

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