GSK opens state-of-the-art respiratory manufacturing facility in Ware, UK

GSK has opened a UK£56m state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, creating 150 new jobs in the UK, in response to demand for GSK’s portfolio of respiratory medicines delivered by the innovative Ellipta inhaler.

The new 4500m² facility was opened by UK Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman, MP, and GSK Chief Executive Officer, Sir Andrew Witty. It is the latest expansion for Ellipta manufacturing at Ware, with investment totalling more than £100m during the past 5 years.

The new facility is expected to nearly double the production of Ellipta inhalers at Ware to at least 37 million per year by 2017, 95% of which will be exported.

Since 2013, more than 400 additional roles will have been created at the manufacturing site in Ware, bringing staff numbers to more than 1200. This includes more than 30 apprentice and 50 graduate roles as part of GSK’s commitment to creating highly skilled roles for young people.

Sir Andrew Witty, CEO, GSK, said: ‘This new facility demonstrates our commitment to manufacturing in the UK, which continues to be a very positive environment for life sciences investment. We have been leaders in respiratory medicine since the 1960s when we first began making inhalers in Ware, and it continues to be a critically important site for us, both in terms of researching and developing innovative new inhaler technology, and as a world-leading manufacturing hub. We currently export Ellipta inhalers from Ware to more than 74 countries and the new facility will increase capacity to meet growing demand for our new portfolio of respiratory medicines worldwide.’

Life Sciences Minister George Freeman said: ‘This £56m investment by GSK is fantastic news for Ware and the UK’s thriving life sciences industry. As well as driving growth and creating 150 new jobs, this expansion of GSK's medicines manufacturing facility in Ware is a strong endorsement of the UK's leadership in manufacturing and respiratory medicine.’