Governor Gilmore Discusses Possible Expansion Of International Pharmaceutical Company In Petersburg

Gilmore also discusses partnership between Virginia and Boehringer Ingelheim for workforce trainin

Ingelheim, Germany - Governor Jim Gilmore today met with executives of Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc. in Ingelheim, Germany to discuss proposed expansion plans for the company's Petersburg facility. A joint statement by Governor Jim Gilmore and Boehringer Ingelheim officials stated that the German company is considering a significant investment for capital improvements to the Petersburg manufacturing site of its subsidiary, Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc. The site under consideration is located at 2820 North Normandy Drive located in the Petersburg Industrial Park.

"As Governor, I'll continue to work to ensure that all businesses in Virginia benefit from an environment that promotes growth and prosperity," Governor Gilmore said. "Boehringer Ingelheim is a corporate citizen that Virginia is proud to call its partner in providing quality employment and investment in the Commonwealth."

Governor Gilmore also indicated support for a partnership between the company and the Commonwealth of Virginia to implement a workforce training program to fully prepare existing and new employees hired as a result of the proposed expansion. Bill McCall, Director of Human Resources of Boehringer Ingelheim said the company and the Governor also discussed the company's interest in creating a model apprenticeship program for current B.I. Chemicals employees and area students interested in pursuing a career in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

"We were encouraged by Governor Gilmore's continuing commitment to economic development, and in particular to German-American business partnerships," Dr. Hans Jurgen Leuchs, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, said.

In its discussions about future expansion opportunities, the company also informed the Governor of its latest developments in project research following last year's dedication of Boehringer Ingelheim's $20 million specialty production facility in Petersburg.

B.I. Chemicals, Inc. is one of five U.S. subsidiaries of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, operating as part of Boehringer Ingelheim's worldwide companies, based in Ingelheim, Germany. Boehringer Ingelheim's activities in pharmaceuticals, as well as industry and special products, include operations in more than 150 countries, employ nearly 25,000 employees with more than 3,000 employees in the United States achieving over $6 billion dollars in sales

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