Company will expand U.S. Headquarters, adding 30 jobs

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL –Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that SHL Pharma, a company of the SHL Group, the world’s largest privately-owned designer, developer and manufacturer of advanced drug delivery systems, is expanding its manufacturing and R&D facility in Deerfield Beach, Florida with a newly renovated $6 million state-of-the-art facility.Currently, SHL employs 44 people who earn an average salary of $55,000 and the company is projecting to hire at least 30 new employees over the next year.

Governor Scott said, “SHL Pharma’s announcement of their expansion is great news for the families of South Florida. With the help of businesses like SHL Pharma, we are continuing to grow our economy and create more jobs and opportunities for Florida families. We must make Florida the most pro-business state in the nation, and the place where everyone who wants a job can get one.”

Lt. Governor Lopez-Cantera said, “These new jobs are great news for families in South Florida. This state has proven to be the perfect business climate for companies like SHL Pharma. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida businesses have created more than half a million jobs in just over three years, so let’s keep working to enhance this opportunity economy that creates jobs and prosperity for Florida.”

“We are excited about this expansion project, as it is very customer-driven. We have built up close relationships with some of the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies over the years and this facility will allow us to offer even more services to these partners,” said SHL Pharma President Lucio Giambattista. “Now, with packaging, labeling and distribution services available in-house, SHL will truly be a one-stop-shop for drug delivery devices, from product design to delivery. We chose the Deerfield Beach location because of the favorable local and state tax climate as well as international access to distribution and transportation portals. That coupled with the robust life sciences clusters in the region made south Florida a perfect fit for our business.”

Life science clusters across the state have allowed Florida to establish itself as the premier new location for life sciences innovation and industry growth. Florida is home to world-renowned biomedical research institutes, and nearly 1,000 biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In total, there is a foundation of more than 44,000 healthcare establishments in Florida.

“Not only in South Florida but across our state, we’re seeing more and more innovative life science companies establish and grow,” said Enterprise Florida President & CEO Gray Swoope. “SHL Pharma is a great example of that ingenuity and growth and we’re glad they relocated and are continuing their success here. Florida’s global access, skilled workforce and pro-business climate make it the perfect state for life science leaders to grow and innovate.”

In addition to Greater Fort Lauderdale, other locations under consideration included New Jersey and North Carolina. The company cited connectivity to domestic and foreign markets via the port and airports, proximity to the product development and final assembly site, and a growing life sciences cluster, as well as the ability to attract top talent due to quality of life as top advantages for relocation to Broward County.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance President and CEO Bob Swindell said, “We are extremely pleased that SHL Pharma will be expanding itsmanufacturing and R&D facility in Deerfield Beach.  The mission of the Alliance is to maintain and grow the presence of target industry companies in the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area that can leverage our highly educated and diverse workforce, and highly rated business and personal tax climates. SHL Pharma is an important part of our strong and growing cluster of life science companies.”

In addition to Enterprise Florida and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, partners in the project included the City of Deerfield Beach, Workforce Florida and the Department of Economic Opportunity.

“The City is very pleased to have the opportunity to welcome and support SHL Pharma,” said Deerfield Beach District 4 City Commissioner Bill Ganz.  “Their decision to bring so many executive level and blue collar jobs to our area, where they are committed to using local vendors as well as training and hiring local residents, is testament to the quality of Deerfield Beach as a place for economic expansion.”

Workforce Florida President & CEO Chris Hart IV said, “We are honored to support SHL Pharma’s expansion in Florida and are confident our talented workforce and competitive business climate will position this high-performing company for even greater success.”

“Florida’s economic turnaround is having a positive impact on industries across the state. Life science companies such as SHL Pharma are experiencing incredible success thanks to our state’s pro-business policies,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “We are working to create an opportunity economy here in Florida and SHL Pharma’s expansion is a shining example of our continued commitment.”

Governor Scott has recommended $95 million investment for the state’s economic development incentive programs to attract new businesses and expand existing businesses in order to create high quality/high wage jobs and grow Florida’s economy. A key component is the flexibility to use these funds to react quickly to unexpected opportunities, which will enhance business retention and job creation.

Along with the economic impact these plans will have on Broward County, the company is also very active in charitable and community building relations. Since relocating to Deerfield Beach, the company has worked closely with the Broward County Sheriff’s office and other local organizations to provide donations, volunteer hours, food and toys to the needy within the area. In 2012, SHL Group received the Deerfield Beach Community Hero Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the City of Deerfield. 

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