Bespak's new valve facility opened
Drug delivery technology specialist Bespak has opened a new 2000m2 facility at its site in King's Lynn, UK. The £10m (Euro 15m) extension is the latest development in a six year investment strategy that has seen £23m (Euro 34m) spent at the site. The new building was officially opened by Dr Monica Darnbrough, director of BioScience at the Department of Trade and Industry.
The new extension houses a 1400m2 ISO Class 7 (10,000) cleanroom facility containing the latest electric moulding and assembly suites for the manufacture of pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) valves and actuators. It also features dedicated packaging and storage areas in a continuous workflow pattern that ensure cleanroom integrity.
Numerous innovative features have been integrated into the design of Bespak's extended manufacturing hall, enabling the company to maximise the space on site.
Moulding machines in the cleanroom stand on raised, reinforced platforms that match the surrounding level of the composite steel and concrete floor, and a final layer of vinyl creates a continuous surface which provides an easy to clean finish.
The machines are supplied with materials by individual service hubs, designed specifically for Bespak, which deliver materials including air, plastic, electricity, water and IT links via pipes and electrical ducting hidden under the floor of the hall. This network provides Bespak with additional working space for machines, while the area beneath the floor incorporates a sensor system that can detect service failures. The facility is also fitted with a sock system that allows for variable airflow rates in the cleanroom.
'The completion of this project will help Bespak meet the requirements of its global customer base for years to come and realises its vision of becoming one of the world's leading drug delivery device developers,' said Mark Throdahl, ceo of Bespak.