Bausch + Lomb doubles production in Macherio
The American multinational will invest 28 million euros in the Lombardy production site. Global CEO Saunders: 'In Italia, a favourable investment ecosystem, we will create new jobs'
"See-3PO is an opportunity that will allow our people to be able to devote more time to more value-added activities," says Bausch + Lomb president and global CEO Brent Saunders, immediately after shaking the hand of the humanoid robot that will enter the group through the door of the Macherio (Monza Brianza) site.
Here, yesterday, Saunders announced a major investment to double production and met the workers in the town hall. The global meeting held for the first time at a production site also became the occasion when 3,000 of the American multinational's 13,000 workers decided on the name of their new 'colleague', inspired by the android from Star Wars.
'In Macherio,' says the American manager, 'we have found a very favourable ecosystem to invest in, thanks to deep technical expertise, manufacturing excellence and a solid culture of innovation, but also to the support of local politics and the network of relationships with schools and universities.
We will make an investment of USD 33 million, or more than EUR 28 million, in the expansion of the site, which will add to the USD 10 million, or more than EUR 8.6 million, already invested over the past five years. By 2031, further investments are planned, which will significantly increase the economic impact in Italia'. Almost as if to reassure on the compatibility between AI, humanoids and human labour, Saunders explains that this investment 'will increase employment: we will create 50 new jobs, with an increase of almost 50 per cent of the site's employees, which today number 100. If we also consider the allied industries then the new jobs will become 100'.
In the global universe of the American multinational company, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which manufactures products that help people see better, from sterile fluids to contact lens care and eye health products such as artificial tears, Italia plays an increasingly strategic role: "It has long been an important part of Bausch + Lomb's global presence. Our continued investment reflects our confidence not only in the region's talent and capabilities, but also in the crucial role that Italia will continue to play in helping us serve patients and customers around the world," Saunders says.
