Pfizer closes Kent manufacturing base

Pfizer will close its Sandwich, Kent manufacturing plant over the next two years with the loss of 420 jobs.

It spells the end of the company's British manufacturing operations, but Pfizer will continue to use the Sandwich site as its European R&D headquarters.

Tony Maddaluna, VP 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."

The company reviewed its manufacturing investments after its 2003 acquisition of Pharmacia and concluded it would benefit from a smaller number of larger sites.

Pfizer said it will offer affected employees training for internal and external recruitment and, where possible, redeployment during the two-year phased closure.

Colin Seller, manufacturing site leader at Sandwich, said: "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."

The company will retain a small manufacturing presence at Sandwich of 10-15 people to deal with active pharmaceutical ingredients for regulatory submissions of human and veterinary medicines.