Governor Hochul Celebrates Completion of IMA Life North America’s $30 Million Expansion Project in Tonawanda

New 120,000-Square Foot Facility Will Support Company's Production of State-of-the-Art Pharmaceutical Equipment - Including Equipment for Cancer-Fighting Treatments

Expansion Allows the Company To Create 70 New Jobs and Retain 195 Jobs in Western New York

See Photos of the Completed Project

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that manufacturing company IMA Life North America has completed its $30 million, 120,000-square-foot facility in Tonawanda to increase its 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 expansion of IMA Life's Tonawanda facility advances New York's leadership in medical manufacturing by providing essential equipment for life-saving treatments and creating high-quality regional jobs," Governor Hochul said. "The completed project reinforces the state's ability to attract premier investments and talent, securing Western New York's role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain."

IMA Life North America is part of IMA Group, an Italian company that is a global leader in the field of aseptic drug processing and freeze-drying equipment, with about 7,400 employees worldwide. The company offers a wide range of technologically advanced machines, which preserve the integrity of pharmaceutical products, ensuring the maximum level of sterility and protecting both the operator and the environment.

The new building includes 90,000 square feet of production space and 30,000 square feet of office space on a 15-acre parcel located at 700 Colvin Woods Parkway, replacing IMA Life's existing 60,000-square-foot facility at 2175 Military Road.

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. The product range includes blowers, washers, depyrogenation tunnels, liquid and powder fillers, freeze dryers, automatic loaders/unloaders, labelers and isolation systems.

IMA Life North America President Ernesto Renzi said, "IMA Life offers a broad range of technologically advanced machines, which preserve the integrity of pharmaceutical products, ensuring the maximum level of sterility and protecting both the operator and the environment. IMA Life's equipment is shipped all over the world and its customers include the main multinational companies in the industry."

IMA Life has 195 employees based in Tonawanda and is actively adding 70 more personnel as the newly opened expansion project unlocks production increases. New York State, through Empire State Development (ESD), the State's economic development agency, will provide up to $1.1 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for IMA's job creation commitments.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The completion of IMA Life's expansion cements Upstate New York as a premier hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. By delivering on this state-of-the-art facility, we are leveraging our highly skilled workforce and strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and secure Western New York's position on the global stage."

Read the full press release here.