SHL Medical establishing operations in Charleston County

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SHL Medical, a provider of drug delivery solutions, today announced plans to establish operations in Charleston County with an initial investment of $90 million that will create an estimated 165 new jobs.

Headquartered in Switzerland, SHL Medical designs, develops and manufactures drug delivery solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world. The company creates autoinjectors, pen injectors and specialty delivery solutions that allow patients to self-inject at home, according to a news release from Charleston County Economic Development. The company also offers contract manufacturing and engineering services for products such as wafer testing equipment, laboratory handling equipment, neurosurgical devices and industrial equipment.

“I am delighted to announce SHL’s expansion into South Carolina,” SHL Medical Chairman and CEO Ulrich Faessler said in the release. “Our new U.S. site in North Charleston will be a state-of-the-art facility that will support our customers further with our end-to-end capabilities, providing high-quality drug delivery systems to the end users — patients around the world. This new facility brings us closer to our customers and reduces the risk of supply chain disturbances. Furthermore, it will support our sustainability goals by lessening global shipping distances. I want to acknowledge the support that we have received from the state and county levels for this project."

The company said the expansion at 7791 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston will enable SHL Medical to meet growing demand.

“As a globally respected designer and manufacturer of drug delivery services, SHL Medical is a tremendous addition to South Carolina’s booming life sciences ecosystem,” S.C. Biotechnology Industry Organization CEO James Chappell said in the release. “Our state’s strong relations with Switzerland will be further enhanced with SHL’s decision to grow and expand their North American markets from South Carolina.”  

Operations are expected to launch by the second quarter of 2024; jobs will be posted on the company’s career page.

“We are proud to welcome SHL Medical to our robust and growing life science sector in the city of North Charleston,” North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said in the release.  “With the establishment in our region and tremendous job creation, our highly capable, local workforce is well equipped to fulfill the company’s global mission. We affirm our commitment to SHL Medical and look forward to future growth and success.” 

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project, the release said. The council also awarded a $250,000 Set-Aside grant to Charleston County to assist with costs related to the project.