CHICAGO (June 22, 11:20 a.m. EDT) — Custom compounder Foster Corp. (Booth N4162) of Dayville, Conn., nearly is doubling the size of its headquarters by building a 43,000-square-foot facility in nearby Putnam, Conn.
Construction of the new building started two months ago, but an official groundbreaking was held June 12. Foster will make its move in either November or December, according to Larry Johnson, director of sales and marketing.
Johnson said that the move is only a couple of miles, but it will allow the company to expand its research and development capabilities. He said Foster will add room for testing and probably new equipment, which he did not disclose.
“Our compounds go into situations that save lives every day,” said Johnson, noting that 90 percent of Foster's compounds are for medical use, such as catheter tubing.
Johnson said that a growth area for Foster is with bioactive polymers used for drug delivery and pharmaceutical purposes.
He said that the company has a capacity of 1.5 million pounds and plans to double that in three to four years.
Foster is exhibiting at NPE for the first time this year.
Besides developing radiopaque compounds, Foster also offers compounds that have electrically conductive/static-dissipative properties, lubricated and/or with reinforced thermoplastics. Foster Corp also does custom colors and blends.
“Our plans call for growth in business and in people,” said Johnson, noting that new employees will be added.
The new plant actually marks a move back to the company's roots. Foster started in Putnam in 1989.
The company currently has 36 employees at its 22,000 square foot Dayville facility.
Putnam also has 14 employees at a 10,000-square-foot plant in North Las Vegas, Nev.
