Branford-based Bausch + Stroebel Machine Company hosted a grand opening for its new manufacturing facility on Monday.
The 55,000-square-foot facility at 10 Thompson Rd. in Branford features a three-story office building and manufacturing area.
The company moved to Connecticut in 1983. It was initially located in Clinton before moving to North Branford in 2007. At the end of 2022, construction was finished on its new Branford warehouse and office space.
According to company leaders, its new facility is expected to “greatly expand” its operational capabilities.
General Manager Oliver Schmidt said, “We have been investing in Connecticut for 40 years now and are looking ahead to many more decades of growth here…Our ongoing investment in workforce, facilities and equipment will allow us to meet our ongoing customers’ needs.”
The company specializes in packaging for pharmaceutical companies including equipment for washing, sterilizing, filling, closing, inspecting and labeling containers. They also provide other services such as project management, installation and maintenance.
Those attending the grand opening were able to learn how several of Bausch + Stroebel’s machines work.
One station featured different tabletop machines (EDM3601 and EDM 3611). The machines use sensitive scales to measure syringes or vials after being filled. Another machine adds the stopper and cap to containers.
The second machine, called the VarioSYS, is a smaller model of a similar machine located at Bausch + Stroebel’s headquarters in Germany. The machine works to autonomously fill vials for production. The one in the Branford location can fill up to 60 vials per minute.
The machine in Germany was used to bottle vials filled with COVID-19 vaccines such as those produced by Pfizer.
Bausch + Stroebel uses a sterilizing technique called depyrogenation, which not only disables bacteria, but destroys it to ensure everything is sterile.
A virtual reality demonstration was also available to those wishing to try it. It displayed a virtual version of Bausch + Stroebel machines to be used by customers and employees to learn more about the parts of the machines and how they operate.
The company was founded in Germany over 50 years ago and moved operations to Connecticut in 1983. The company employs about 50 employees in the state and is expecting to add 50 to 100 more employees in the next few years to meet increasing business.
Contact Matt Verrilli at mverrilli@newhavenbiz.com.
