Global healthcare leader’s largest single-site investment will create 335 jobs, strengthen North Carolina’s life sciences sector, and establish a new hub for infection prevention manufacturing and innovation.
SANFORD, N.C. — Global healthcare company STERIS plc (NYSE: STE) announced plans to invest more than $600 million to develop a new Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Sanford, North Carolina, marking the largest single-site capital investment in the company’s history. The project will create 335 high-quality jobs while expanding the state’s growing leadership in life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
The new 600,000-square-foot campus will be located at Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard in Lee County and will serve as STERIS’ primary U.S. hub for the manufacturing, research and development, warehousing, and distribution of formulated chemistries used in healthcare and pharmaceutical sterilization, disinfection, and contamination control.
Construction will occur in multiple phases, with distribution operations expected to launch first. The project is anticipated to be fully operational by 2030.
Founded in 1985, STERIS is a global provider of products and services focused on infection prevention and patient care. The company employs more than 18,000 people across approximately 250 locations in more than 35 countries. Once complete, the new North Carolina campus will consolidate and expand formulated chemistry manufacturing and distribution currently performed at facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, and Plymouth, Minnesota, creating a centralized Center of Excellence designed to support the company’s long-term global growth strategy.
“After extensive analysis of our existing facilities and customer demand, we have decided to make a significant investment in the United States to support our long-term global growth,” said Dan Carestio, President and CEO of STERIS. “Creating a formulated chemistries Center of Excellence will allow us to accelerate innovation, expand capacity, and optimize our U.S. chemistries manufacturing and distribution network. Our customers save lives every day, and with this investment we will be well positioned to support their needs for years to come.”
The company’s decision followed an extensive evaluation of potential locations across the United States. North Carolina emerged as the preferred site due to its highly skilled workforce, established life sciences ecosystem, research capabilities, transportation infrastructure, and strong partnerships between state and local economic development organizations.
Governor Josh Stein said the investment further reinforces North Carolina’s position as one of the nation’s premier destinations for life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
“STERIS is making a major investment in North Carolina, which reinforces our state’s reputation as a powerhouse in the life sciences industry,” Stein said. “Decades of excellence in manufacturing and innovation have developed the world-class talent, research, and supply chain that continues to attract global companies and drive long-term economic growth across our state.”
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley noted that the project reflects the state’s long-term economic development strategy.
“STERIS’ decision to make its Center of Excellence in Lee County affirms the region’s emergence as a premier hub for advanced manufacturing,” Lilley said. “By investing in workforce development, fostering innovative partnerships, and strengthening our competitive advantages, North Carolina continues creating the conditions for innovative companies to grow and succeed.”
The facility will create positions across advanced manufacturing, laboratory operations, research and development, engineering, supply chain management, logistics, warehousing, and corporate operations. The average annual salary for the new positions is expected to be $68,704, exceeding Lee County’s current average wage and generating an estimated $23 million in annual payroll.
STERIS selected Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard, one of North Carolina’s newest life sciences and advanced manufacturing campuses, where it will join Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Kyowa Kirin. The project further establishes Sanford and Lee County as a growing destination for biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare innovation.
Local leaders described the announcement as transformational for the community.
Lee County Board of Commissioners Chair Samantha Martin said the project will create meaningful career opportunities while strengthening the county’s long-term economic future.
Sanford Mayor Rebecca Salmon added that the investment validates the city’s efforts to build a business-friendly environment capable of attracting world-class employers while providing residents with opportunities to live and work locally.
The project will be supported through North Carolina’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. Over the grant’s 12-year term, state officials estimate the investment will generate approximately $1.8 billion in economic output. The performance-based incentive authorizes potential reimbursements of up to $3.2 million, contingent upon STERIS meeting job creation and capital investment milestones. State officials estimate the project will return approximately $4.25 in state revenue for every public dollar invested.
The announcement reflects continued momentum for North Carolina’s life sciences industry, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing biotechnology and healthcare manufacturing clusters. Anchored by the Research Triangle and supported by a statewide network of universities, community colleges, research institutions, and advanced manufacturing assets, the state continues to attract major domestic and international investment.
The STERIS project was supported through a collaborative partnership that included the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Sanford Area Growth Alliance, Lee County, the City of Sanford, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Central Carolina Community College, North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Railroad Company, Norfolk Southern, Duke Energy, Enbridge Gas North Carolina, TriRiver Water, and numerous other state and local partners.
With more than $600 million in planned investment and hundreds of new advanced manufacturing and research positions, STERIS’ new Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence represents one of North Carolina’s most significant life sciences projects of the year and further positions Sanford and Lee County as an emerging center for healthcare manufacturing and innovation in the Southeast.
Sanford Area Growth Alliance
Spencer Ballus
Communications Coordinator
919-775-7341 Ext. 1504
sballus@growsanfordnc.com
Governor’s Press Office
govpress@nc.gov
(919) 814-2100
STERIS
Julie Winter
VP Investor Relations & Corp Communications
Julie_Winter@steris.com
