West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has opened its new 129,000-sq.-ft. injection-molding factory in the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone (SQIZ) in China. The company will manufacture TrimTec and InsoCap closures for intravenous solution bottles and will also export the closures to other markets in Asia, Europe and South America. The Qingpu plant currently employs 52 people and is ISO:9001 certified.

“West is experiencing an exciting period of growth in the Asia Pacific region and we are proud to open our first manufacturing operation in China,” said Donald E. Morel, Jr., West’s chairman and chief executive officer. “This facility was established in direct response to client demand, and we are committed to supporting the growth of our pharmaceutical customers in China.

West broke ground for the plant in January 2008. Following completion of systems validation and testing, full commercial production will begin late in 3Q09.