Atlanta — April 5, 2023 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced today that Meissner, a leader in microfiltration systems and advanced process manufacturing, will invest approximately $250 million in a new facility in Athens-Clark County. The project will create more than 1,700 jobs over the next eight years.
“As the No. 1 country for business, Georgia remains a leader in a wide range of industries, including the life sciences,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We are excited to welcome Meissner to the Peach State where they will find a talented workforce and a strong partnership with both the state and the people of Athena-Clark County.”
Meissner is one of the world’s largest private companies in the bioremediation sector. It develops, manufactures, supplies and delivers products and systems for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Camarillo, California, the company operates globally and supports customers around the world. Meissner’s product range enables the development and manufacture of important medicines in therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiology and immunology.
The company recently played a leading role in the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing important products that have enabled the development, manufacture and distribution of many life-saving treatments and vaccines.
“We are excited to embark on this significant expansion and are excited to build our second campus in the United States in Athens-Clark County” said Christopher Messner, President of Messner. “Georgia State, and Athens-Clark County in particular, is an ideal location with an amazing talent pool and a strong geographic location that allows us to serve clients on the East Coast and throughout the world. We sincerely value partnering with state and county officials, and are eager to get down to business joining the community in Athena Clark County.
Meissner’s new facility will be located on the Christian Industrial Tract, located at 1310 Spring Valley Road, in Winterville. Upon completion of the currently planned phases, the new campus will more than double the company’s manufacturing footprint in the United States as the company expands its operations. Meissner expects the new location in Athens-Clarke County to consist of several structures, which will include state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities, laboratories, research and development, and office space.
Operations are expected to begin in early 2026. The company will be hiring for a wide range of roles, including technicians, scientists, and engineers as well as IT and management positions. Interested individuals can learn more at www.meissner.com.
The company also plans to work with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, including schools like the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Athens Technical College. These partnerships will explore potential internship opportunities and other opportunities for collaboration through related programs of study.
“We are thrilled to welcome Meisner to the Athena-Clark County community,” said Mayor Kelly Geerts, Athena-Clark Unified County Government. “Meissner’s innovative and creative culture is an excellent fit with Athens-Clark County’s vibrant quality of life, our portfolio of biotechnology companies, and our research and expertise in engineering and biosciences.”
Barton Lowry, Director of Industrial Projects, represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Trade Team on this project in partnership with Athens County Unified State Economic Development – Clark Invest Athens, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.
“Meissner provides critical equipment that benefits other key industries in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “From life sciences to food processing, businesses across the state rely on these filtration systems to produce products that are safe to use. Adding Meissner to our state’s business community will complement the industry mix in the state while diversifying the local economy in Athens-Clark County.”
About Meissner
Meissner manufactures advanced microfiltration products and treatment manufacturing systems for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical applications, such as sterilization of injectable drugs, development and manufacture of life-enhancing/lifesaving drugs, therapeutics, biologics, cell and gene therapies. The company is a significant supplier to manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and treatments, and associated test kits. Meissner’s manufacturing campuses include a headquarters location in Camarillo, California, USA, and a European manufacturing site in Castlebar, Ireland. For more information on Meissner, please visit www.meissner.com.