Vitamin maker invests $200 million, creates 225 jobs
By Terry Troy
The makers of Nature Made® vitamins are expanding into the Columbus Region, investing more than $200 million and creating 225 new jobs. Pharmavite plans to build a new facility of between 200,000 and 250,000 square feet in New Albany, adding to a growing life sciences industry in the Columbus region.
Pharmavite’s facility will be located at 13312 Jug Street Road NW in New Albany, pending local approvals and site acquisition. Expanding into the Columbus Region will help the company add production capacity and enhance its Midwest and East Coast market service. The company is investing in the construction of the new facility, machinery and equipment, with production expected to start by the end of 2024.
“Pharmavite is excited to announce a major expansion into the Columbus Region, which is rapidly emerging as a leading national hub for science, innovation and technology companies,” said Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite. “As a proud Ohioan, I look forward to leading Pharmavite into this new era in which we will develop new reach and capabilities while striving to become an important part of the Columbus and New Albany communities.”
Pharmavite manufactures its products in the United States. This marks the company’s fourth manufacturing facility and the second investment outside the California-based company’s home state. Founded in 1971, Pharmavite’s last expansion took place in 2013 with a facility in Alabama which has grown to full capacity. The new facility will primarily produce products for its Nature Made & MegaFood brands. Nature Made is the leading national vitamin and supplement broadline brand, with 50 years of delivering high quality products that are backed by science and ranked as the #1 Pharmacist Recommended vitamin and supplement brand.
“As we continue to expand and strengthen our health and life science cluster, we’re excited to welcome a leading company like Pharmavite to join the ecosystem,” said Michael Loges, economic development manager at the City of New Albany. “Pharmavite’s focus on wellness and nutrition align with New Albany’s strengths and values, so we’re excited to integrate them as partners in our business community and look forward to presenting this project to New Albany City Council.”
From medical breakthroughs to cutting-edge technology, the Columbus Region is home to one of the most dynamic healthcare and life science industries in the country. In the last five years the Columbus Region has granted over 8,700 degrees in biology, biomedical science, chemistry and pharmacy, and The Ohio State University ranks in the top 10 nationally in Biological and Biomedical Science PhD completions – all contributing to a highly-educated and prepared talent pool. New Albany is located in Franklin County, which is home to an estimated 1,316,756 residents.
“Pharmavite is a California-based life science company that will now grow its national brands with talent from Ohio, making this the 43rd project from the nation’s Coasts to choose to invest here since 2019!” said J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio. “This investment brings a state-of-the-art facility and 225 new jobs that will support growing demand for Pharmavite’s vitamin supplements throughout the Midwest and East Coast.”