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Upper Montgomery County Life-Sciences Firm Announces Closure of Its Local Facility

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 14:22 GMT by WFMZ-TV

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Upper Montgomery County Life‑Sciences Firm Announces Closure of Its Local Facility

A local life‑sciences manufacturing operation in Upper Montgomery County has officially announced that it will close its facility in the coming months. The decision, announced via a formal notice to the county’s Planning Department, has left the community and county officials scrambling to assess the economic and social impact of the shutdown.

The Company and Its Role in the Community

The facility in question is operated by Molecular Dynamics Inc. (MDI), a specialty manufacturer that has been a fixture of the Upper Montgomery County business landscape for more than a decade. The company’s main product line consists of high‑purity reagents, growth‑factor kits, and other critical components used by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research institutions. MDI’s workforce has comprised roughly 70 employees over the past five years, many of whom are local residents with long‑term ties to the region.

MDI’s Upper St. Davids location – situated on a 15‑acre parcel on St. Davids Pike – was originally built in 2012 and has been expanded several times to accommodate growth in the life‑sciences sector. The facility includes a 3,500‑square‑foot production floor, a quality‑control lab, and a small warehouse for outbound shipments.

Why the Closure?

According to the notice filed by MDI, the decision to shut down the Upper Montgomery County plant is part of a broader corporate strategy aimed at consolidating production in a single, larger‑scale facility in Delaware. “We are moving our production to a new, state‑of‑the‑art facility in Wilmington that will allow us to reduce operating costs, streamline logistics, and better serve our growing customer base,” the company’s spokesperson told WFMZ. “This relocation will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2024, at which point the Upper St. Davids site will be fully closed.”

MDI’s move is largely attributed to the rising costs of real‑estate and utilities in Pennsylvania, as well as the company’s desire to take advantage of Delaware’s favorable tax structure for manufacturing operations. In a brief statement, the company noted that the Delaware facility would house all of its current production lines, with no loss of capacity, and would maintain a workforce of approximately 90 employees, slightly larger than the Upper Montgomery County office.

Impact on the Local Workforce

The most immediate consequence of the closure is the loss of up to 70 jobs – a significant hit for a county where the life‑sciences sector accounts for roughly 12% of the local employment mix. County officials are already working to mitigate the impact.

“We understand the severity of the loss of jobs in this sector, especially for those who have built their careers around MDI’s operations,” said County Executive John Davis in a statement. “The county’s Economic Development Office is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to provide reskilling programs, job placement assistance, and potential relocation incentives for affected workers.”

The notice also highlighted that MDI’s relocation to Delaware is not intended to reduce headcount overall; instead, the company anticipates a modest increase in employment at the new site. Nonetheless, the community has expressed concern over the potential for a net loss in local economic activity.

Community Response and Future Plans

The announcement was met with a mix of disappointment and pragmatism. Local business owners noted that the facility had been a key customer for many small suppliers in the area. A representative from the Upper Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce emphasized the need to keep the “supply chain intact” as the county seeks to attract new firms to the region.

“We’re not just looking at one company; we’re looking at the entire ecosystem that surrounds it,” the chamber chair said. “We will work closely with MDI to ensure a smooth transition, and we’ll actively pursue new opportunities that can fill the vacuum left by their exit.”

County planning officials have started to evaluate potential redevelopment options for the 15‑acre site. While the property remains zoned for industrial use, county officials are exploring the possibility of converting the space into a mixed‑use biotech incubator, a manufacturing hub, or even a community center – contingent upon securing funding and partnerships.

Broader Industry Context

The closure of MDI’s Upper Montgomery County plant fits into a larger trend of consolidation in the life‑sciences manufacturing industry. As the sector seeks to reduce costs and enhance efficiencies, many companies are centralizing production at fewer, larger sites that can benefit from economies of scale and streamlined logistics. The shift also mirrors a broader trend of companies relocating manufacturing operations to states with more favorable tax climates and lower operating expenses.

While the immediate fallout may be painful for the local community, some analysts believe that the county’s proactive approach to workforce development and its willingness to repurpose the property could ultimately yield a net benefit. “When companies like MDI consolidate, the county can reallocate resources, attract different types of businesses, and foster innovation,” said Dr. Linda Torres, an economic development consultant.

What to Expect in the Coming Months

• Job Transition Assistance – MDI will work with the county’s Employment Department to provide affected workers with counseling, training, and job placement services.
• Closure Timeline – The Upper St. Davids plant is slated to close by the end of Q2 2024. Final production will cease, and the facility will be decommissioned in a phased approach.
• Redevelopment Process – The county will issue a public notice inviting developers and investors to propose new uses for the site. A feasibility study will be conducted by the county’s Planning Office.
• Community Outreach – Local chambers, economic development groups, and labor unions will host forums to keep residents informed and engaged in the transition process.

In short, while the shuttering of the life‑sciences facility marks a significant blow to Upper Montgomery County’s local economy and workforce, the county’s swift response and forward‑looking redevelopment plans may help to cushion the blow and even open new avenues for growth in the years to come.