Life sciences commited $15 billion in new construction in the US in 2014, up 25% over 2013

Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, TX), which compiles construction activity nationally, primarily for the benefit of the engineering-construction companies bidding for the business, toted up $15 billion worth of projects in 2014. The count includes projects that have reached the construction stage (and not preliminary engineering and design), in pharma, biotech and medical devices. The 2013 total that IIR reported was $12 billion.

“The 2014 projects are a good reflection of the industry as a whole and where its capital dollars are going: manufacturing, research and distribution,” says Annette Kreuger, IIR analyst. Even "Big Pharma" has rejoined the action, as illustrated by Eli Lilly's launch of a $140-million expansion of insulin cartridge production at its Indianapolis campus. This is the latest in a series of expansions at the site.”

Other notable projects IIR cites are a Michigan State University's launch of the $730-million Rare Isotope Facility at Michigan State University and a $140-million kidney-dialysis project by Fresenius Medical Care North America in Knoxville, TN. Capital spending was highest in the Great Lakes region, at $2.6 billion, the Southeast, at $2.2 billion, and New England, at $2 billion.