Area Development
SHL Pharma, a company of the SHL Group, the world’s largest privately-owned designer, developer and manufacturer of advanced drug delivery systems, is investing $6 million to renovate and expand its manufacturing and R&D facility in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

“We are excited about this expansion project, as it is very customer-driven. We have built up close relationships with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies over the years and this facility will allow us to offer even more services to these partners,” said SHL Pharma President Lucio Giambattista. “Now, with packaging, labeling and distribution services available in-house, SHL will truly be a one-stop-shop for drug delivery devices, from product design to delivery. We chose the Deerfield Beach location because of the favorable local and state tax climate as well as international access to distribution and transportation portals. That coupled with the robust life sciences clusters in the region made south Florida a perfect fit for our business.” The company, which employs 44 people, is projecting to hire at least 30 new employees over the next year.

Governor Rick Scott said, “SHL Pharma’s announcement of their expansion is great news for the families of South Florida. With the help of businesses like SHL Pharma, we are continuing to grow our economy and create more jobs and opportunities for Florida families. We must make Florida the most pro-business state in the nation, and the place where everyone who wants a job can get one.”

“Not only in South Florida but across our state, we’re seeing more and more innovative life science companies establish and grow,” said Enterprise Florida President/CEO Gray Swoope. “SHL Pharma is a great example of that ingenuity and growth and we’re glad they relocated and are continuing their success here. Florida’s global access, skilled workforce and pro-business climate make it the perfect state for life science leaders to grow and innovate.”

According to Enterprise Florida, the company cited connectivity to domestic and foreign markets via the port and airports, proximity to the product development and final assembly site, and a growing life sciences cluster, as well as the ability to attract top talent due to quality of life as top advantages for relocation to Broward County.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance President/CEO Bob Swindell said, “We are extremely pleased that SHL Pharma will be expanding its manufacturing and R&D facility in Deerfield Beach. The mission of the Alliance is to maintain and grow the presence of target industry companies in the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area that can leverage our highly educated and diverse workforce, and highly rated business and personal tax climates. SHL Pharma is an important part of our strong and growing cluster of life science companies.”

In addition to Enterprise Florida and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, partners in the project included the City of Deerfield Beach, CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

“Florida’s economic turnaround is having a positive impact on industries across the state. Life science companies such as SHL Pharma are experiencing incredible success thanks to our state’s pro-business policies,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “We are working to create an opportunity economy here in Florida and SHL Pharma’s expansion is a shining example of our continued commitment.”