Consumer self-care producer, Perrigo, broke ground Wednesday on its new Grand Rapids North American Corporate Headquarters.
One…two…three! (clapping).
“It’s not yet seen by the community what I believe is the biggest of all opportunities which is to make this the Silicone Valley of self-care.”
It’s the vision of Murray S. Kessler, Perrigo President and CEO.
“You know we’re trying to transform and we’re trying to be a much more innovative company than we’ve been. We’ve been a follower.”
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Perrigo’s annual sales are expected to top $5 billion this year. It’s known for copying national brands’ innovations by producing store brand and private label generic drugs. But from its new North American Headquarters at 430 Monroe Avenue NW - the site of Michigan State University’s Grand Rapids Innovation Park – Perrigo’s future is private-public life science collaborations with “Medical Mile” researchers, educators and health care providers.
“We’re transforming to be national brand better and national brand different which means we have to be the lead. And we have to do that because, in most cases, we’re bigger than the national brands.”
Perrigo is investing $44.7 million into its Grand Rapids Headquarters. When the 125,000-square-foot building opens in 2022, it’ll house its U.S.-based executive team and create 170 high-paying jobs. It’s manufacturing facilities in Allegan and Ottawa Counties currently employ more than 4,000 workers. It employs 11,000 worldwide.