Wyeth begins to build plant in China

MADISON, N.J. Wyeth earlier this week announced that it is investing $280 million to build a state-of-the-art nutritional manufacturing facility in the Suzhou Industrial Park in the Jiangsu province of China. The new facility will primarily produce infant formula milk powder and other nutritional products. When completed, the site will be one of the world's largest nutritional manufacturing facilities.

"This investment reflects Wyeth's long-term commitment to pediatric nutrition, as well as the recognition that China is now the fastest-growing market for Wyeth's worldwide nutritional business,” stated Robert Essner, Wyeth chairman. “When completed, this facility will enable us to meet the growing demand for nutritional products in the Chinese market."

Construction at the site started this month, and the plant is scheduled to be operational by late 2010. At full operation, the plant is expected to employ about 500 employees. Products made at this facility will primarily supply the local market.