Novartis to Close German Manufacturing Site in Wehr by 2028, Affecting 220 Jobs
Key Insights
Novartis plans to close its Wehr manufacturing facility in southern Baden, Germany by the end of 2028, resulting in approximately 220 job losses due to the site's declining competitiveness.
The facility currently produces solid oral dosage forms including tablets and capsules for established Novartis medicines using long-standing technologies that are no longer competitive in the company's modernized global network.
Despite the closure, Novartis emphasizes that patient medicine supply will remain unaffected and reaffirms its commitment to Germany with ongoing investments including a 35 million euro radioligand therapy (search) production facility in Halle.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Wehr, Germany by the end of 2028, a decision that will impact approximately 220 employees as the company modernizes its global production network.
The Wehr site, located in southern Baden in the district of Waldshut, currently produces solid oral dosage forms including tablets and capsules for established Novartis medicines. According to the company, the facility relies on long-standing technologies and is no longer competitive within Novartis's evolving manufacturing strategy.
Strategic Manufacturing Realignment
Steffen Lang, President of Operations at Novartis, acknowledged the significant impact of the announcement on the workforce and local community. "We are aware of the uncertainty that this announcement brings for our colleagues at the Wehr site," Lang stated, emphasizing the company's commitment to working "closely, respectfully, and openly with staff and the municipality of Wehr during the transition."
The closure represents part of Novartis's broader strategy to advance innovative manufacturing technologies across its global network. All proposed changes will proceed through Germany's legally mandated information and consultation procedures with employee representatives, with Novartis emphasizing a responsible and transparent approach throughout the process.
Continued Investment in German Operations
Despite the Wehr closure, Novartis has reaffirmed its commitment to Germany as a key market. The company highlighted its ongoing investments in research, development, and clinical studies, as well as collaborations with scientific institutions and patient groups throughout the country.
As part of its manufacturing modernization efforts, Novartis previously announced a 35 million euro investment in a new radioligand therapy (search) production facility in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. This specialized facility is expected to begin operations in 2027 and will focus on producing personalized cancer (search) therapies for patients in Germany.
Patient Supply Assurance
Novartis has emphasized that the Wehr facility closure will not affect the supply of medicines to patients. The company maintains operations across six locations in Germany, employing more than 2,600 people nationwide, and continues to focus on developing innovative medicines that reach over 300 million people worldwide.
The pharmaceutical company's stock performance reflects ongoing market confidence, with shares trading between $104.93 and $170.46 over the past year. The stock closed Tuesday's trading at $143.50, up 0.61%, and continued to gain in overnight trading, reaching $147.04, up 1.06%.