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The basics:

• Johnson & Johnson investing $1B in new Florida distribution facility
• Jacksonville site will support growing demand for Acuvue contact lenses
• Facility will add advanced manufacturing, packaging, distribution capabilities
• Project part of J&J’s broader $55 billion US investment commitment

Amid an effort to boost its U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities, Johnson & Johnson is building a $1 billion distribution facility in Florida.

In a June 15 press release, the New Brunswick-based healthcare giant said the state-of-the-art site will enable it to expand capacity and meet growing demand for J&J’s Acuvue brand contact lenses.

According to J&J, construction of the facility is underway. The site is expected to be up and running in 2028, the company said.

J&J Chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato said, “This investment reinforces our long-standing conviction that advanced manufacturing in the United States is essential to delivering innovative, high quality healthcare solutions to patients at home and around the world.”

“By further strengthening our Vision operations in Jacksonville with next-generation manufacturing, packaging and distribution capabilities, we are enhancing the resilience of our U.S. supply chain while helping more people see better and live better. This commitment reflects the confidence we have in our people, our technology, and our more than 40-year legacy of advancing eye health globally,” he said.

The move comes as part of J&J’s March 2025 pledge to direct more than $55 billion over the next four years toward domestic research & development, technology and manufacturing.

With nearly two dozen outposts across the country, J&J has the biggest footprint in the U.S. when it comes to pharmaceutical manufacturing.

A clear vision

Since establishing an optical health presence in Jacksonville 45 years ago, the company says its business there contributes $6 billion annually to the state’s economy.

J&J’s more than 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing, research, distribution and operations facilities employ 3,500 workers in the area, the company said.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan described the latest investment as “a strong vote of confidence” in her city’s workforce and future.

“Jacksonville continues to lead in advanced manufacturing and life sciences innovation. This expansion strengthens our high-tech footprint while creating quality jobs and long-term opportunities for our community,” Deegan said.

Looking forward

By 2029, J&J expects to develop three new advanced manufacturing facilities and expand several existing sites nationwide across its innovative medicine and medtech businesses.

Over the past year, J&J has reported progress on several projects related to the commitment, including its:

• $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Wilson, N.C.; and
• $2 billion biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Holly Springs, N.C.

Johnson & Johnson is also among more than a dozen American drugmakers to reach deals with the White House to lower prescription drug costs in exchange from an exemption from U.S. pharmaceutical tariffs.

Since calling on the industry last summer to voluntarily reduce costs, the White House has secured deals with more than a dozen companies to cut medicine prices for the government’s Medicaid program and for cash-paying consumers.

The list includes several pharma giants with a New Jersey presence, such as Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk. These companies have also unveiled billions of dollars aimed at boosting domestic capabilities amid pressure from the Trump administration. The list includes the following commitments:

• $20 billion from Sanofi
• $23 billion from Novartis
• $70 billion from Merck
• $40 billion from Bristol Myers Squibb
• $10 billion from Novo Nordisk