Company plans to build robotic manufacturing facility in Bartow to make IV fluid bags
Bartow stands to gain a 60,000-square-foot advanced robotics plant and 100 jobs, according to plans announced recently by Assure Infusions Inc.
The company will invest $20 million into the project on 10 acres along Century Boulevard in Bartow, said Alex Lucio, CEO of Assure Infusions.
“We’re excited to share our plans to build a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Central Florida,” Lucio said.
The new company was launched earlier this year in Winter Haven to produce IV fluid products, a press release said. A ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 11 at the new location.
With a building occupancy certificate expected by February, the plant could be fully operational within a year of occupancy pending regulatory approvals. Product manufacturing is anticipated to start in 2023.
The products to be manufactured, IV fluids, are in high demand in the U.S. health care system because of shortages, the company said.
“Having readily available IV fluids is critical for quality healthcare, but unfortunately, there is often a shortage of these products in the U.S. due to a lack of domestic manufacturing, supply chain issues and production limitations of current manufacturers,” Lucio said.
"We took notice of this product space back in 2018," he said. Hurricane Maria had hit Puerto Rico and suddenly 50% of the U.S. domestic supply, which had been manufactured by Baxter on the Caribbean island, went offline.
"Hospitals had an extremely difficult time, and admissions for non-emergency procedures were restricted," Lucio said. "There has been no new capacity added since then."
Even with existing manufacturers operating at 100% capacity and no excess, demand remains high, he said.
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The new Assure Infusions facility "will showcase the company as a highly-advanced, innovative new player in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry," the release said.
“In addition to creating over 100 new high-skill, high-wage jobs in Polk County, Assure Infusions will help ensure hospitals and healthcare facilities can function without interruption by providing a steady and stable supply of IV fluid products,” Lucio said.
Pricing for IV bags ranges from $1.25 to $3.75. The fully automated production facility will run 24 hours per day, seven days a week to manufacture 20 million to 30 million sterile IV bags annually.
Assure Infusions will be manufacturing sterile water, sterile saline, sterile 5% dextrose and Ringer's Lactate, an electrolyte solution. The interior footprint includes a 200-foot production line.
The manufacturing process will form a bag, attach ports to each bag, mix the fluids, fill the bag and sterilize them.
The use of robotics is essential to reach the anticipated speed of manufacturing, he said. Robots will be tasked with quality inspections, move bags from production to sterilization and for the packaging operation.
The products will be shipped via common carriers, along with FedEx and UPS.
"The facility is unique because it is the only sterile IV fluid manufacturer with onsite sterilization," Lucio said. He said that allows the bags to be shipped immediately.
"This is a huge advantage at a time when supply chain problems are plaguing every industry in the country," he said.
Assure Infusions will be able to operate independently with its own on-site laboratory to validate sterilization and maintain quality assurance.
Springer Construction was selected as the general contractor on the building project, and the building was designed by The Lunz Group – both are Lakeland firms.
According to Lucio, the Central Florida Development Council and the Bartow Chamber of Commerce helped Assure navigate the process of vetting land that would move easily through land use, zoning and permitting.
The organizations have also committed to assisting with potential financial incentives such as sales-tax exemptions, but those are still ongoing discussions.
“We are very excited that Alex Lucio chose to build his state of the art manufacturing plant in Bartow," said Denise Bohde, president of Bartow Economic Development Council, in a prepared statement.
"Not only will Assure Infusions bring jobs to us, but it also will alleviate the IV shortages in hospitals across the nation, she said. "It’s a win-win for all of us.”
Similar excitement came from a statement by Virginia Condello, interim executive director of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce.
“Bartow is poised for a lot of growth, and it is estimated that more than 7k people will be moving here within the next few years," Condello said in a written statement. "We need jobs, and Assure Infusions will provide at least 100 new jobs to the area. Those that are interested in smart growth for Bartow see that it is a good fit for us.”
Before starting Assure Infusions in February, Lucio was the founder and CEO of 3B Medical, a medical-device manufacturer in Central Florida that manufactures products for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing and oxygen therapy.
Lucio turned 3B Medical into one of the fastest growing companies in Florida before exiting after the company was acquired by ReactHealth, a release said.
Assure Infusions Inc. launched in 2022 as an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing company that will produce sterile IV fluids.
Lucio said it will play a critical role in ensuring that hospital demand for intravenous solutions is met with sufficient domestic manufacturing.