Illinois Lands International Pharmaceutical Service Provider

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation (ILBEDC) announced today that German pharmaceutical service provider Vetter plans to develop a new production and distribution facility in Des Plaines.

Vetter plans to develop a $320 million state of the art facility in Des Plaines, the first of its kind manufacturing facility outside of Germany, creating at least 300 new jobs. Vetter currently operates a U.S. production facility and sales office in Skokie, Illinois. The company wants to expand in Illinois in order to benefit from our state’s life science and biopharmaceutical industry cluster.

“Vetter will create hundreds of quality, high skill jobs for Illinois residents, growing their presence in Illinois with lots of opportunity for future growth,” Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said. “The collaboration between the State, the ILBEDC and our local partners was instrumental in attracting an investment of this scope and magnitude, which will reap economic benefits for Illinois for years to come.”

ILBEDC CEO Jim Schultz and Department of Commerce Assistant Director Andria Winters met with Vetter executives during an April trip to Germany, which occurred following the State’s major presence at Hanover Messe, the world’s largest industrial fair.

“We know that Foreign Direct Investment is a major opportunity for Illinois. Our central location, with unparalleled access to North American markets, and our skilled workforce are major strengths to companies like Vetter,” ILBEDC CEO Jim Schultz said. “By working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and local governments and marketing Illinois’ assets in person to Vetter executives, we were able to drive a deal that’s good for Illinois and good for Vetter.”

“This is a major win for Illinois. These types of victories don’t come together overnight. Today’s announcement was made possible by the Department of Commerce and the ILBEDC working together for months and putting on a full court press,” Department of Commerce Acting Director Sean McCarthy said. “It was invaluable for Jim Schultz and Andria Winters to be able to meet directly with Vetter in Germany. It’s that kind of outreach and customer service that will set Illinois apart and help close deals.”

“Our regional partners have been critical,” added McCarthy. “Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen laid the groundwork through his relationship with Vetter, and support from local utilities companies, the city of Des Plaines and Cook County came together to create this success shared by the entire state. This was a team effort that epitomizes the model for economic development and what Illinois can achieve moving forward.”

This project is the product of close collaboration between the Illinois Department of Commerce, ILBEDC, Cook County and the city of Des Plaines. Vetter has signed an economic development agreement with the state, and is pending approval from the Des Plaines city council. Vetter will publicly present its plan in Des Plaines this week.