West Le Nouvion :

success story of a global pharmaceutical company

A key stakeholder in the healthcare sector, West Pharmaceutical Services is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the Hauts-de-France region in 2024. Discover the keys to the American group's success and its impact on the region.

Published on 16.07.2024

Hauts-de-France,
THE LAND OF SUCCESS FOR WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES

“I think that we have everything we need to succeed in Hauts-de-France. “
Samuel Lecerf, Sr Site Director of West Pharmaceutical Services Le Nouvion

Established in Hauts-de-France since 1974, West Pharmaceutical Services has grown steadily to become a strategic plant for the Group.

What key success factors has the American giant found in the region?

A strategic location in the heart of Europe and an efficient transportation infrastructure, which allows for the easy export of its production around the world.
A qualified workforce
🔎 Recruit easily in Hauts-de-France
A strong industrial culture and a healthcare sector with a rich and dynamic ecosystem
Support from regional and national economic stakeholders
🔎 Find out how NFI can support your development project in Hauts-de-France.

DISCOVER HAUTS-DE-FRANCE THROUGH THE EYES OF SAMUEL LECERF, DIRECTOR OF THE NOUVION SITE

West Le Nouvion,
A STRATEGIC PLANT IN EUROPE

“Le Nouvion is a key site in West Pharmaceutical Services’ global strategy. “
Samuel Lecerf, Sr Site Director of West Pharmaceutical Services Le Nouvion

📥 Download the full interview with de Samuel Lecerf

Founded in 1974, the Axon plant was acquired by the American company West Pharmaceutical Services in 1995.

Specializing in the manufacture of elastomer components for injectable solutions (stoppers, plungers and needle guards), it represents a strategic area of expertise for the Group.

Using state-of-the-art technology, the site exports its products to pharmaceutical and biotech industries worldwide.

A $60M INVESTMENT OVER 5 YEARS ON THE NOUVION SITE

To meet the needs of its customers, the West Group committed in 2023 to investing over $350 million worldwide over 5 years.

The Nouvion site will benefit from a $60 million program, which will allow for:

The modernization of production tools: to improve energy efficiency, productivity and the well-being of teams
Plant expansion: construction of new buildings and associated infrastructure, including laboratories to support the increase in production capacity.
The preparation for development in the coming years, followed by recruitment for various positions in production, quality, maintenance and engineering to meet new market needs.

By boosting its modernization, these strategic investments will strengthen the site’s long-term viability and pave the way for its future development, serving not only its customers but also the healthcare sector in the Hauts-de-France region.

A STRONG IMPACT
ON THE REGION

A long-standing stakeholder in the Thiérache region, the West Pharmaceutical Services site in Le Nouvion is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.
With 750 employees, it is the largest private employer in the Aisne region.

A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROMOTING REGIONAL INDUSTRY

The Group’s societal actions in the regions take the form of various partnerships with:

The world of education and training (middle schools, high schools, training centers, associations), to introduce students to industrial professions from secondary school onwards, and encourage vocations.
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La Maison des Entreprises de Thiérache et de la Serre (METS) to actively participate in workgroups or benchmark groups on industrial themes, and explore synergies with local, regional and national stakeholders.

In 2023, the Group was also involved in the reflections on the healthcare component of France 2030 and took part in promoting the region’s industrial and research ecosystem, thereby making a significant contribution to strengthening France’s industrial sovereignty.

WEST, WINNER OF THE 5TH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AWARDS
IN HAUTS-DE-FRANCE

Every 3 years, Nord France Invest organizes an awards ceremony to highlight international companies that have made major investments in the region.

West Pharmaceutical Services won the 5th Industrial Investment Trophy. This award recognizes outstanding investment in a company’s production capacity.

It was awarded to the Group for its $60 million investment in 2023, a strong signal of the importance of the Le Nouvion site in its global strategy to ensure the plant’s long-term viability and productivity.

“Receiving this trophy in the year of our 50th anniversary in the region is a great source of pride for the whole team because they are the ones who work to develop the site. “
Samuel Lecerf