West Pharmaceutical Services received a shipment of equipment for its Kinston-based manufacturing facility on an Antonov plane, one of the largest cargo planes in the world, which landed and unloaded at the NC Global TransPark.

“West is playing a vital role in the race to develop an effective vaccine for the virus, and all of our team members are very proud to be part of this effort,” stated Mike Fischer, Director, Operations, West Kinston.  “We are also pleased to be contributing to the growth of the local Lenoir County economy, with the hiring of dozens of new team members in long-term roles necessary to help support this increased growth.”

West Pharmaceuticals has added 60 additional team members in the past eight months at its Kinston location. West is looking to hire even more people to fill new positions over the next several months.

“Having the NC Global TransPark in Kinston demonstrates the ability and access that we have to accommodate the Antonov, the 2nd largest cargo plane in the world, with the 11,500 foot runway and the convenience of our location to deliver goods to anywhere in the world and also support our companies and industries in North Carolina,” said Mark Pope, Senior Vice President NC GTP Regional Economic. “The Antonvo crew and company is a great carrier and company that has been at the NCGTP before and is a professional company that can deliver worldwide.”

West is working with many of the top pharmaceutical companies to provide packaging and delivery and injection components in support of the development, clinical trials and potential launch of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“The Antonov delivered equipment for the West Pharmaceutical site in Kinston today, which will directly impact the fight against Covid 19. They are working with lead pharmaceutical companies to manufacture the needed components. This also shows you the benefit of having an 11,500 foot runway located at the GTP. Edwards Crane provided the cranes to offload the Antonov, and started around 7:30am and were done by 10am. The crews and aircraft plan to be here for a few days before they leave for their next destination,” said Keely Koonce, North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Vice President.

West’s Kinston manufacturing facility is key in the production of components being used directly in the fight against COVID-19. 

“West is committed to assist the fight against COVID-19 and the equipment brought to Kinston will increase the capacity to produce the components that are critical to treat and protect against COVID-19,” said Pope.