New York Construction Report staff writer
IMA Life North America will build a $30 million, 80,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Tonawanda to increase production of freeze-drying equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. IMA Life’s equipment is shipped all over the world and its customers include pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Moderna.
The new building will include 50,000 sq. ft. of production space and 30,000 sq. ft. of office space on a 15-acre parcel located at 700 Colvin Woods Pkwy., supplementing IMA Life’s existing 60,000-sq. ft. facility at 2175 Military Rd. The large freeze dryers manufactured there can rapidly convert vials of liquid medicines and other pharmaceutical products into a powdered form that is shelf-stable and easy to transport.
Montante Construction is handling design and construction on the project, which is slated to be complete by the end of this year.
“Montante Construction is proud to construct a state-of-the-art facility for IMA Life North America. Our team created innovative design and building solutions for the new building, enabling IMA to forge ahead with a challenging project that will bring value to our region through cutting-edge products and jobs in the pharmaceutical sector. We are grateful for our partnership with IMA and the opportunity to support their growth in Western New York,” Montante Construction President Doug Elia said in a statement.
The product range includes blowers, washers, depyrogenating tunnels, liquid and powder fillers, freeze dryers, automatic loaders/unloaders, labelers, and isolation systems.
“We have deep respect for the life-saving medicines our customer’s process using IMA equipment, and we look forward to expanding our production capabilities and adding jobs right here in Western New York,” said President of IMA Life North America Ernesto Renzi. “The impressive competence of the workforce has allowed us to grow our customer base and expand the company.”
New York State, through Empire State Development (ESD), the State’s economic development agency, will provide up to $1,127,443 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for IMA’s job creation commitments.
“IMA Life’s decision to break ground on a new facility here in Erie County is tremendous news for both our workforce and economy,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “This investment retains current jobs while adding new ones and further underscores our reputation as an area that’s business friendly with a workforce that can handle the job. Congratulations to IMA Life on the groundbreaking and thanks for growing here in Erie County.”
