BIVI Expands TWICE

If you drive by the campus of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI), you’re sure to notice construction that means a significant investment by the company into its St. Joseph facilities. In the recent months, BIVI has had a groundbreaking ceremony and a dedication ceremony for two new expansions. “We think long-term and invest in science,” said George Heidgerken, President and CEO. The company’s investment is important to the St. Joseph workforce and the city’s place as the capital of the Animal Health Corridor. BIVI, a global leader in the animal pharmaceutical industry, is St. Joseph’s fourth-largest employer. The addition of a new administrative building continues an

ongoing expansion at the St. Joseph location of the company, which in 2009 led to the hiring of about 150 workers and a capital investment of about $150 million. The new administrative building will house more than 300 employees. Most of those workers are already employed by Boehringer, but some new hires will also work at the facility, said Dan Nowalk, Executive Director of Human Resources and Public Relations. Currently, administrative workers are spread throughout St. Joseph company locations, like on Woodbine Road and in Mitchell Woods Business Park. The new administrative building brings those workers together. The groundbreaking ceremony, at which Gov. Jay Nixon gave an address, was

held Thursday, March 10. “Animal health has become a real cluster of excellence in our state,” Gov. Nixon said. “There are more than 200 companies in the corridor and they are drawing on the same qualities and workforce as Boehringer.” Some of those qualities include the experience and education of the local workforce in the animal health arena. “While Boehringer Ingelhiem’s parent company is from Ingelhiem, Germany, the roots of this plant are truly local,” said Dr. Gary Clapp, President and CEO of the Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences. “Since True Davis started Anchor Serum nearly

100 years ago in the Stockyards by treating pigs for cholera and through mergers and acquisitions, we stand here today to celebrate 100 years of jobs, revenue, economic development and profitability.” Dr. Clapp spoke at the dedication ceremony and grand opening of the expansion of the Biological Vaccine Production Facility. “This project nearly doubles the production square footage and further exemplifies the commitment that Boehringer has to our community and the future of our region,” Dr. Clapp said. Dr. Joachim Hasenmaier, global head of animal health for Boehringer, said the community’s future is not the company’s main concern. “This is about a $100 million investment,” he said. “It’s the single biggest investment of ours in 10 years. We thought, ‘should we spend it and where?’ You should be very proud that it came here. -

nity) cut the ribbon during the dedication ceremony for the Biological Vaccine Production Facility.

Gov. Jay Nixon addressed the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new administrative building for BIVI.

St. Joseph BUSINESS JOURNAL 12Spring 2011

In a business, it is not about being nice. It’s about good business sense. We’re absolutely confident this is the best place to invest our money. I am confident this will bear fruit.” Production at the new facility is expected to begin in May, said Dr. Christian Klessen, Vice President at BIVI, who agreed on the expansion in St. Joseph. “Too many companies have given up their U.S. production base,” he said. “We feel this is the right investment.” The decision to make St. Joseph the global site for BIVI’s animal health vaccine production was made in 1994, said Mr. Heidgerken. Two major expansions have happened since – before the expansion celebrated on May 2. “In 2006 a certain disease was spreading like wildfire,” he said. “We realized we needed to up our capacity

for production of vaccine, and not just in the swine arena…We are very, very proud of what we have today and our customers dearly want this facility to work.” He only half-joked that employees should skip lunch after the dedication ceremony to be able to properly fill the customers’ needs. At the previous ceremony for the administrative building, he recognized how important the workers are to the company. “We recognize we are part of a larger community,” Mr. Heidgerken said. “We’re committed to sustaining a work environment where people want to grow their careers.” Civic leaders understand the importance of BIVI to the local economy, and in return, the company’s reliance on its local workforce. “To steal a metaphor from the

agri-business community, businesses tend to locate and stay in fertile ground that will satisfy all their nutrient needs,” Dr. Clapp said. “Their needs include capital (both human and dollars) and they stay in an environment where they feel appreciated.” Ted Allison, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Metro Chamber, said St. Joseph was fortunate that after an extensive site evaluation process (which included sites in other states) that BIVI decided to stay in St. Joseph and substantially increase its investment. At the administrative building groundbreaking ceremony, he thanked and congratulated those who participated with the Chamber’s Economic Development Team to make this possible:

and the City Council

Commissioners R.T. Turner, Dan Hausman and Ron Hook and members of its Economic Development Advisory Committee

Gov. Matt Blunt and the State of Missouri’s Department of Economic Development

Superintendent of the St. Joseph School District, and her staff

President of Missouri Western State University, and his staff

Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator

Business at Northwest Missouri State University

Engelmann with KCP&L. “All of these people and the entities they represent played an important role in working with Boehringer’s President and CEO George Heidgerken and his outstanding management team,” Mr. Allison said.

Mayor Bill Falkner, Presiding Commissioner RT Turner, Gov. Jay Nixon and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica President/CEO George Heidgerken turn dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new administrative building.

Ray A. Sisson, CCIMServing only Commercial Clients

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St. Joseph BUSINESS JOURNAL 13Spring 2011