A big moment on a big stage
30 Journalists from major regional media outlets attended the press conference online and in person to report on the eagerly awaited news. After preliminary talks at the Office of the Minister-President of Saarland, the afternoon press conference began with short film clips and opening words from government spokesperson Julian Lange at the nearby banquet hall.
Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, gave a brief speech. This was followed by remarks from Saarland's Minister-President, Anke Rehlinger, and the Minister of Economic Affairs, Jürgen Barke. Managing Director Henryk Badack, Senior Project Coordinator Thomas Otto, Senior Vice President Bernd Stauß, Vice President Thomas Rübekeil, and Company Spokesperson Markus Kircher were also on hand to represent Vetter.
Vetter’s vision, Germany’s role as a strategic location for future investments and government subsidies all piqued the audience’s interest. This project will inspire and bring fresh momentum to the region. The event concluded with the unveiling of the 3D model of Vetter’s multi-stage production site, which was signed by Minister President Anke Rehlinger and Udo J. Vetter. The construction of the site has been made formalized with this press conference, turning blueprints into a tangible project.
The steps thus far and those to come
We signed the purchase agreement for a 40-hectare plot of land in Saarlouis at the end of 2024. However, construction did not begin until the EU Commission approved up to €47 million in state aid in December of last year. Supplied by state and federal governments, these resources are designated for creating secure and sustainable jobs in Saarland.
This substantial funding provides a boost to our initial investment of €480 million. The new site will be developed in stages. Construction of the pharmaceutical production building will begin in the second quarter. An initial workforce of around 400 employees, ranging from career changers to highly qualified experts, will begin producing essential medications there in 2031.
The next construction phase will follow, creating up to 2,000 jobs in Saarlouis in the long term. This large-scale building project is a significant milestone for our company. It also clearly signals to our customers that they can rely on us to increase our long-term capacity. Last but not least, this initiative underscores our continued investment in Germany as a place of business and strengthens the Saarland region and its people. You can rely on us!
