Medical device and health care technology manufacturer Becton, Dickenson and Co. (BD) revealed plans Thursday to build a new, $65 million facility in Tucson, AZ that will support its medical device supply chain in the US. The 120,000-sq-ft structure will serve as a hub for BD’s supply chain and house a final-stage manufacturing and sterilization center.

“Tucson is the ideal location for critical infrastructure and was selected after a careful review of a number of alternative locations in the southwestern US and Mexico,” Alexandre Conroy, executive vice president, Integrated Supply Chain for BD, said in a company release. “Arizona’s favorable business climate, the strength of its workforce, and Tucson’s centrality to other parts of BD’s supply chain were key factors in the decision.”

The Arizona city is situated between eight of the company’s major manufacturing plants in the US, as well as three distribution centers.

40 new positions will be created with the opening of the site, including engineers, scientists, quality control specialists, and other roles. BD expects the site to become operational by mid-2022

The Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson, Pima County, Pima Community College, Tucson Electric Power, and other local organizations and companies are partnering with BD on the project.

“Tucson will become a crucial part of the manufacturing of medical devices and the resilience needed within our health care supply chain,” said Conroy.

America’s medical device supply chain experienced disruptions and other issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, Powder & Bulk Solids’ sister publication MD+DI recently reported, from production and shipping delays to shifts in supply and demand.