Thermo Fisher Scientific Opens $192.5M Manufacturing Facility to Boost US Laboratory Supply Chain
Key Insights
Thermo Fisher Scientific (search) has opened a new 375,000-square-foot carbon-neutral manufacturing facility in Mebane, North Carolina, capable of producing at least 40 million laboratory pipette tips per week.
The facility represents a $192.5 million investment coordinated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (search) and Department of Defense, aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains for life sciences research.
The new site has already hired 40 employees and is expected to create 50 additional jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and business operations.
Thermo Fisher Scientific (search) Inc. has opened a new manufacturing center of excellence in Mebane, North Carolina, marking a significant expansion of domestic laboratory supply chain capabilities. The 375,000-square-foot carbon-neutral facility is designed to produce at least 40 million laboratory pipette tips per week, supporting continued development and production of medicines and therapies in the United States.
Strategic Investment in Domestic Manufacturing
The new facility represents a $192.5 million investment that resulted from a contract awarded in 2021 in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (search) (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (search) (DoD). This investment aligns with broader efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical laboratory equipment and materials.
"As a global leader in life sciences manufacturing, we're proud to serve as a growth engine for the American economy and provide our customers with a strong and agile supply chain that enables them to advance human health," said Erica Hirsch, president of laboratory chemicals at Thermo Fisher Scientific (search). "The opening of our Mebane site is a testament to our larger strategy to strengthen our manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. and support continued innovation and expanded growth in North Carolina."
Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
The Mebane facility incorporates advanced automation technology designed for high-volume production efficiency. The site can produce 96 pipette tips every 12 seconds and manufacture 5,000 finished assemblies per hour. The facility also features automated packaging and shipping capabilities to meet growing customer demand.
Pipette tips serve as critical tools for research and diagnostics, enabling precise liquid handling in high-volume applications including disease studies and diagnostic testing. Thermo Fisher manufactures these tips using high-quality materials and strict quality controls to ensure accuracy, reduce contamination, and deliver consistent performance.
Economic Impact and Employment Growth
The new Mebane site has already hired 40 employees and is expected to add 50 additional jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and business operations. This expansion builds on Thermo Fisher's existing North Carolina presence, where the company currently employs approximately 7,800 colleagues across 13 sites throughout the state.
"Thermo Fisher Scientific (search)'s new facility strengthens North Carolina's leadership in the biotech sector and strengthens our domestic supply chain," said Governor Josh Stein. "I am proud to welcome this global company to Mebane as it expands its North Carolina presence with 100 good-paying jobs."
Broader U.S. Manufacturing Strategy
The Mebane facility opening reflects Thermo Fisher's larger commitment to U.S. manufacturing expansion. The company has more than doubled in size in the United States since 2017, now employing more than 50,000 people domestically. Additionally, Thermo Fisher invests more than $1 billion annually in research and development within the United States.
Thermo Fisher's North Carolina operations include a center of excellence for laboratory equipment in Asheville, three life sciences manufacturing sites in Durham, pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in Greenville and High Point, and a distribution center in Raleigh. The company, which serves as the world leader in serving science with annual revenue over $40 billion, operates through industry-leading brands including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon, and PPD.