Pfizer to End Manufacturing in East Kent: 400 Jobs to be Lost

2.31.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

Pfizer has today announced its intention to cease all remaining manufacturing operations in Sandwich, Kent. The closure of manufacturing operations at Sandwich is expected to result in the loss of approximately 420 jobs, phased over the next two years.

Today's announcement is the result of Pfizer's ongoing plans to consolidate worldwide manufacturing operations.

Tony Maddaluna, Vice-President of Pfizer Global Manufacturing said:

"It is with regret that we announce our decision to end manufacturing operations in Sandwich after 53 years. This is the latest in a number of global manufacturing changes, to ensure we are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible and able to respond to the challenges of today's business environment."

Colin Seller, Manufacturing Site Leader at Sandwich added: "This decision is no reflection on the performance of our talented and skilled workforce at Sandwich. We recognise that this may be a difficult time for colleagues and our priority now, and over the coming weeks and months, is to support our people through this process."

Pfizer remains committed to its research and development programme at Sandwich which, as announced earlier this year, is one of Pfizer's four key global research and development sites. It is the key discovery and development site in the areas of allergy and respiratory, genitory-urinary, pain, vaccines, gastrointestinal and hepatology, and anti-retrovirals.