Bausch + Lomb To Expand Manufacturing In Rochester

ROCHESTER, NY — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that Bausch + Lomb, a global eye health company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies Inc., will grow its contact lens manufacturing business in the City of Rochester, Monroe County — a move that will allow the company to create 100 new jobs in the region. Parent company Bausch Health currently employs more than 1,000 people at its North Goodman site in Rochester.

The project will include an expansion of the existing facility as well as the addition of production lines which will support the manufacture of the company's disposable silicone hydrogel daily wear contact lenses, helping to drive the long-term, future growth of the company. The expansion project is expected to get underway later this year and is expected to be completed in 2022. The company is also expanding its operations in Waterford, Ireland.

"This expansion will ensure Bausch + Lomb remains a major economic driver for Monroe County and the surrounding communities and continues providing quality jobs for hard-working New Yorkers," Cuomo said. "By supporting the company's own investments in the region, we are once again demonstrating the Empire State's commitment to fostering growth and moving the Finger Lakes forward."

To assist with the expansion project, Empire State Development is providing Bausch Health with up to $3 million through the Excelsior Jobs Program. Monroe County, Rochester Gas & Electric, New York State Electric and Gas and Greater Rochester Enterprise offered incentives and help to move this project forward.

Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health said, "Bausch + Lomb is one of the world's most respected eye health brands, due in large part to the high-quality contact lenses manufactured at the Rochester and Waterford sites. By expanding the production capacity at both locations, we will continue to build on their legacies as we invest for the future. The increased manufacturing capabilities will enable us to meet our anticipated global customer demand for the Bausch + Lomb daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses, a product that is critical to both our ongoing transformation and to our mission of improving people's lives globally."

One of the oldest continually operating companies in the United States, Bausch + Lomb was founded in the city of Rochester in 1853 and is a leading global eye health organization. Its core businesses include over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bausch.com.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said that job opportunities are the key to creating growth and opportunity for Rochester's residents.

"More jobs lead to safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and ultimately, better educational opportunities so we are extremely grateful to Empire State Development, RG&E and all of those who contributed to make this expansion possible and especially to Bausch + Lomb for their commitment to investing and growing in the City of Rochester," she said.

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