Agilent Technologies Inc., a company involved in analytical instrumentation development and manufacturing, will modernize and expand its Newport, DE manufacturing facility to meet growing demand for its biopharma consumables.

Agilent plans to invest nearly $22 million to increase the capacity of its lab-based manufacturing site in Newport, leasing 12,000 sq.-ft. adjacent to its existing facility and fitting out 9,900 sq.-ft. as lab space with new infrastructure, equipment, and instrumentation. Over half of the remaining space will become a warehouse, storage and shipping/receiving area, and the balance will be used for offices.

This latest expansion follows another investment by Agilent last year to its Wilmington-area Little Falls R&D labs. Agilent employs 18,000 people worldwide, including more than 950 in Delaware. The Newport site employs 110 workers, and the expansion is expected to create additional new jobs over the next 10 years.

The Newport facility produces liquid chromatography columns used for chemical and biochemical analysis, drug discovery, environmental control, and analytical chemistry. 

“Agilent has been operating in Delaware for more than 20 years, and we are pleased to continue investing in our manufacturing and R&D facilities in the First State,” said Henrik Ancher-Jensen, Agilent’s order fulfillment and supply chain president. “We are honored to be part of this dynamic community that supports innovation and growth and attracts top talent.”
 
Delaware Prosperity Partnership has been engaged with Agilent as the company explored growth possibilities in Delaware. DPP supported Agilent’s request to the Council on Development Finance for a Delaware Graduated Lab Space Grant of up to $693,000 from the Delaware Strategic Fund. Distribution of grants from the Delaware Strategic Fund are dependent on the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved Agilent’s request.