BD announces $35 million expansion in Columbus

A medical device manufacturing company plans to invest tens of millions of dollars into its Columbus facilities.

BD announced Monday that it will spend $35 million to upgrade and expand its pre-filled flush syringe manufacturing at one of its plants in Columbus.

The expansion will add approximately 50 jobs to the BD Columbus workforce, which numbers more than 2,000. BD did not say when the work will start or when it will be completed.

The Columbus facility, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, is the largest maker of BD’s pre-filled syringes, which are used in the care and maintenance of catheters at hospitals nationwide.

"BD PosiFlush Syringes are essential to everyday patient care for keeping catheters clear and safely delivering medications," Eric Borin, worldwide president of BD Medication Delivery Solutions, said in a news release. "Our latest investments boost U.S. production capacity and reinforce our commitment to a reliable supply for health care providers and the patients they serve."

It’s the second large investment BD has made in the Columbus facility in the past five years. In 2021, the company opened up a $60 million expansion of its plastic injection molded facility. Overall, the company has spent more than $200 million in the past five years on expansions at its plants in Broken Bow, Columbus and Hastings.

In a social media post, Gov. Jim Pillen called the project "a big win for Nebraska and an opportunity to brag about Nebraskans."

"BD is making this investment in our state for a reason: It’s the people. We know how to get the job done — and do it well," Pillen said in the post. "When businesses invest in Nebraska, they get our absolute best."