By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Lillington, NC - To the uninitiated, the name Ingersoll Rand often conjures images of heavy-duty power tools and humming air compressors. But inside a pristine, 60,000-square-foot facility in Lillington, the narrative is shifting from mechanical torque to medical breakthroughs. Last Thursday, local leaders, state representatives, and industry executives gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Ingersoll Rand (IR) Life Sciences Technologies site. The event was more than a formal opening; it was a loud signal that Harnett County is no longer just on the periphery of the Research Triangle Park; it is becoming a vital organ in the region’s life sciences body.
From Power Tools to Life-Saving Therapies, Scott Watson, Ingersoll Rand Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Life Science Technologies segment, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the common misconception about the brand. "You may think, who is Ingersoll Rand and what do they do? I thought it was power tools," Watson admitted. "Well, Ingersoll Rand is much more than that. We are very much focused on the life sciences market."
The facility specializes in Water for Injection (WFI), a substance that sounds simple but is a marvel of engineering. WFI is sterilized, pyrogen-free water used as a solvent for injectable drugs and for sanitation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. "It takes all this plant and a lot of expertise to make this happen," Amada explained, noting that the site's location in a "thriving pharmaceutical environment" allows it to serve as a critical link in the global supply chain for life-changing therapies. The Lillington site represents a strategic pivot toward high-stakes manufacturing. The facility now houses state-of-the-art technologies trusted by global giants like Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, and Medtronic. These are partnerships built over decades, now anchored right here in our backyard. With over 300 life science companies located within a 150-mile radius of Lillington, the IR facility is perfectly positioned to capture the momentum moving south from Raleigh.
As the ceremony concluded and guests donned safety glasses for a tour of the humidity-controlled warehouse and the intricate water treatment systems, the atmosphere was one of shared triumph. This isn't just about a building; it’s about the "ownership mindset" Watson described—an investment in the community that gives every employee equity in the company after one year. For Harnett County, the message is clear: the future of global healthcare is being manufactured right here, one drop of pure water at a time.
Perhaps most impressive to the taxpayers and residents of Harnett County was a detail shared by Plant Manager T.R. Stokely. In an era where corporate expansions are often contingent on public subsidies, this project took a different path. "We didn’t take any additional incentives for this project because we believed in it so much," Stokely said. "We wanted to ensure everyone understood our commitment from the beginning." Stokely, whom Watson credited for his "perseverance" over the last year of development, emphasized a "hire local, source local" philosophy. The numbers behind the expansion are staggering:
- 3,000 square feet of ISO-certified clean rooms.
- 10,000 square feet of modern office space.
- A brand-new in-house chemistry lab.
- A fully climate-controlled warehouse.
Most importantly, the massive construction project, which at times saw 80 contractors on-site, was completed with zero safety incidents. Finally, here are a few fast facts on the planned expansion:
- Total Size: 60,000 square feet.
- Focus: Bio-pharmaceutical containment and Water for Injection (WFI).
- Headquarters: Ingersoll Rand is headquartered nearby in Davidson, NC.
An important note on community impact: no additional government incentives were used. The focus remains on local hiring.
Regarding hiring, Commissioner Barbara McKoy shared that early in the process, she asked the executives, “What are you doing to benefit the workers?” Commissioner McKoy later emphasized, “What impressed me is that they are willing to work with people to ensure they can do the jobs. They are looking to double in size, which is very good for the county. Also, their schedule is four days a week.” These highlights tie in well with a previous project of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners, which cut the ribbon on the Harnett Advanced Technology Training Center in January. Area leadership demonstrated strong vision, as career opportunities and training facilities are now ready for action. In the past, Everett Brotthers, the bookmaker, and Erwin Mills, who were unionized, could send kids to college and had strong benefits. When Rooms to Go arrived, the county commission negotiated strong salaries. Harnett County has proven itself to have the vision, space, and resources to empower career opportunities.
