Medication companies - Drug services provider Vetter relocates to Saarlouis.
Vetter, a global pharmaceutical service provider, intends to establish its presence at the Ford site in Saarlouis. The news was shared by the Saarland Economic Ministry and the company based in Ravensburg on Thursday. Founded by pharmacist Helmut Vetter back in 1950, this company specializes in liquid and freeze-dried medicines that are filled into syringes and other injection systems.
A plant is set to be constructed in Saarland, spanning several hundred million euros, and capable of accommodating around 2000 workers. The announcement suggests that 50 hectares of the previously unused Ford land, and the site of the final assembly after the conclusion of Ford Focus production in November 2025, will be used for this purpose.
With a market leadership status and an ongoing growth track record, Vetter currently boasts a workforce of over 6,300 employees globally. Since 2016, the company has doubled its revenues, amassing profits of more than one billion euros last year.
Anke Rehlinger, Minister President of Saarland (SPD), referred to this development as "a lucky break for Saarlouis and the entire region." Jürgen Barke, the Saarland Economics Minister (SPD), expressed delight over the diversification and strengthening of the location with Vetter's arrival, describing it as "a real future industry with a significant impact on value creation, employment, and innovations." He attributed the decision to Vetter's extensive access to a skilled workforce and the trusting nature of relations with the family-owned company.
Udo J. Vetter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and a member of the shareholder family, declared that Saarlouis held the most favorable conditions for expanding production capacities.
Negotiations on the sale contract are currently underway between Vetter and the state. As per Barke, the government has secured the entire Ford site in a notarial auction notice. Infrastructural adjustments have been initiated, with plans to commence work in January 2025.
In February 2023, Ford announced that their plant in Valencia, Spain, had received the award for a new electric car platform. This effectively sealed the fate of Focus production in Saarlouis. Discussions with a potential Chinese car manufacturer to take over the plant had stalled in October.
The employees secured a comprehensive social tariff agreement in February 2023. The deal ensured the employment of 1,000 of the 3,750 Ford employees until the end of 2032, and offered considerable severance packages and bonuses. They also established a transfer company and training programs.
