Pegasus Laboratories, a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer and subsidiary of PBI-Gordon Companies, celebrated the grand opening of its expanded manufacturing facility in Pensacola, Florida, on September 18, 2025. The 172,000 square foot facility represents the first phase of a comprehensive $45 million expansion project designed to meet growing demand for veterinary pharmaceuticals used to treat chronic conditions in pets.
Manufacturing Capacity and Infrastructure Enhancement
The expansion significantly increases Pegasus Laboratories' manufacturing capacity while providing state-of-the-art laboratory spaces to enhance the company's ability to produce high-quality veterinary products. According to Steve Clifford, CEO of Pegasus Laboratories, the facility improvements serve dual purposes: "enhances our capabilities so we can do more and a wider range of things, but it also enhances our capacity so we can do more volume of whatever we do today."
The company has invested over $7 million in capital expenditures toward the project so far, with the full three-phase development requiring up to $45 million to reach completion. The facility will enable continued research and development efforts to drive innovation and create additional opportunities in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The expansion will create nearly 70 new jobs, including highly skilled positions across manufacturing, quality control, research and development, and management. Clifford estimated the company has already hired between 50 to 60 new employees, with more positions to be filled as the facility build-out continues.
In its initial projections, Pegasus Laboratories planned to create 63 new life-sciences manufacturing jobs paying an average of $61,204 annually. However, company leadership now expects to double that figure, partly due to the recent acquisition of TriviumVet. "With them, I think in the five to six years we're gonna double again," Clifford explained, citing the combination of organic growth, pipeline investments, and workforce development.
Funding and Development Partnership
The expansion was made possible through collaboration with the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and a $2.5 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast to the Pensacola–Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) in 2022. Triumph Gulf Coast, the organization responsible for distributing the $1.5 billion BP oil spill settlement for economic development projects, supported the acquisition of the facility formerly occupied by Hitachi Cable.
David Bear, President of the FloridaWest board of directors, emphasized the strategic importance of the investment: "The funding of this renovated facility is an example of how targeted public investment can drive meaningful economic impact. We are thrilled to see Pegasus Laboratories continue to grow in Pensacola, creating valuable, high-skilled jobs in the life sciences sector."
Company Growth and Innovation Focus
Since Clifford joined Pegasus Laboratories in 2018, the company has grown to more than twice its original size. The company has significantly increased its research and development investment, with Clifford noting they have "invested almost three-and-a-half times the dollars in (research and development) than we had when I got here."
As a 100% employee-owned company operating under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Pegasus Laboratories emphasizes collective ownership and shared success. Donald "Don" Chew, executive chairman of PBI Gordon Companies Board of Directors and key architect of the ESOP structure, highlighted the long-term benefits: "It's always rewarding to see people have a little bit more at the end of the day, versus just a paycheck at the end of the week."
Future Product Development
The expanded facility positions Pegasus Laboratories to address emerging therapeutic areas in veterinary medicine. Chew indicated the company is focusing on feline products, particularly addressing major cardiology conditions. "We're continually trying to innovate, bring new solutions, better solutions to the market for pet owners and the care of those pets," he stated.
The facility expansion represents a significant milestone for Pegasus Laboratories as it continues to serve veterinarians across the United States with pharmaceutical solutions for chronic pet conditions while maintaining its commitment to high manufacturing standards and animal health safety.
