Alcon said it is investing $250 million to expand its contact lens manufacturing facility in Atlanta, bringing with it an expected 250 jobs, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Alcon has an 850,000 square foot facility in Johns Creek, a suburb of Atlanta, which employs 1,700 people
“Alcon is the global leader in eye care, and here in Johns Creek, we have more than 1,700 individuals focused on the production, R&D and distribution for our game-changing contact lens brands like Dailies Total1. Our site’s recent growth is a reflection of our innovation and continued growth in the contact lens industry, as well as the many benefits that operating in the state of Georgia provides. A variety of state, county and city leaders and organizations have contributed to our growth, which has played a key role in our decisions to continue to invest in our Johns Creek location,” Alcon Atlanta manufacturing GM Rob Meyers said in a press release.
Alcon chose the Georgia location based on its airport infrastructure, universities and diverse talent, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Meyers declined to tell the paper how much manufacturing capacity would increase with the new investment.
“Alcon’s global reach and cutting-edge innovation make it the leader in the eye care industry. We are very happy with their decision to expand in Johns Creek and we believe that not only are they a perfect fit for our diverse city, but they also serve as a great example of what makes our business community exceptional,” Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker said in prepared remarks.
The investment is the second since 2013, when the facilities were expanded to the tune of $250 million and 300 jobs to enable it to manufacture Dailies and Dailies Total1 contact lenses, according to a press release from the Georgia Governor’s Office.