BD (Becton Dickinson) intends to invest $65 million to build a new, state-of-the-art final-stage manufacturing and sterilization in Tucson, Ariz. The 120,000 square-foot facility will be built on about 32 acres at the northeast corner of Valencia and Kolb Road, and is planned to begin operations in mid-2022.
 
BD plans to add approximately 40 new jobs, including engineers, scientists, quality control specialists and other skilled talent. Sun Corridor Inc. projects BD's investment will have a $122 million economic impact over the next decade.
 
This project will become a crucial part of the U.S. medical device supply chain and expands BD’s footprint in Arizona, which includes a $1 billion BD Peripheral Intervention business unit headquartered in Tempe.
 
"Tucson is the ideal location for critical infrastructure and was selected after a careful review of a number of alternative locations in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico," BD Integrated Supply Chain executive VP Alexandre Conroy told the press. "Arizona's favorable business climate, the strength of its workforce and Tucson's centrality to other parts of BD's supply chain were key factors in the decision."
 
BD operates over 90 medical device and healthcare technology manufacturing and sterilization facilities globally. This facility will have an original design meeting or exceeding the most stringent environmental guidelines, according to the firm.
 
Tucson is centrally located between eight of BD's U.S. major manufacturing plants and three distribution centers. BD selected this site because it sits within compatible existing and planned industrial areas.
 
Mayor Regina Romeo of the City of Tucson said, "We're thrilled to welcome BD to Tucson. Tucson's strategic location, coupled with our tech companies, university, workforce and proximity to Mexico, were key strengths that led to this successful outcome for our region." 
 
Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority president and CEO, said, "We're excited to see global innovator BD select Tucson for this new operation. Arizona has earned a reputation as a hub for biotech and life sciences, thanks to our unique value proposition and the continued investments from industry leaders like BD. We thank the company for its continued commitment to our state."
 
Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc., said, "We were tenacious in our efforts to win this project. BD joins Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Accelerate Diagnostics, HTG Molecular and other companies here doing cutting-edge work to help solve our country's greatest challenges."

Judy Rich, president & CEO, TMC HealthCare and chair of the board, Sun Corridor Inc., said, "BD has a long history of commitment to public health and is deeply involved in many aspects of the nation's COVID response. For this global powerhouse to choose Tucson for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and sterilization facility is big news. We thank BD for its significant investment in Southern Arizona."
 
Project partners include the Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson, Pima County, Pima Community College, Tucson Electric Power, Southwest Gas, Lumen, Primus Builders, Perry Engineering, Azbil Telstar, Lesni A/S, Advanced Air Technologies, Inc, Cushman & Wakefield/PICOR and JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle).
 
Conroy continued, "Tucson's economic transformation is a national success story, and BD is excited to be part of it. We have worked closely with Mayor Romero and the city government to identify this site and ensure its compatibility with our planned work and with the city's vision for the area.  Tucson will become a crucial part of the manufacturing of medical devices and the resilience needed within our health care supply chain."