West to expand plants in England, Germany

LIONVILLE, Pa. (July 26)—West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. said it will expand at least two plants—one in France, the other in Germany—as part of a major European expansion and capital investment program. The health care product maker also has begun converting its manufacturing facility in Lewes, England, from a plastics products producer to one focused on medical devices and multicomponent consumer goods, many of which are elastomer-based. West also is in late-stage negotiations with a major partner to develop multiple products based on West Pharmaceutical´s drug delivery system and close to completing a drug delivery agreement with another company, Chairman and CEO William G. Little said.