GLASGOW — Community leaders will celebrate the expansion of an area industry, which is adding approximately 50 jobs for the local workforce, during a ceremony on Monday morning.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals will host a grand opening celebration and open house at its newly expanded global distribution warehouse and sales operations center at 118 Beaver Trail at 11 a.m. Monday. Following the ceremony, participants will be treated to a luncheon at the facility.

A number of local and state dignitaries will be on hand to speak during the occasion including Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Larry Hayes, Glasgow Mayor Darrell Pickett, Barren County Executive-Judge Davie Greer, State Representative Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, and State Senator David Givens, R-Greensburg.

Amneal is more than doubling current employment levels locally with additional increases projected in the future. The company is investing more than $6.6 million in the project and was approved for tax incentives of up to $2.5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment programs by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority.

The incentives, which can be earned over a 10-year period through wage assessments and corporate income tax credits, are tied to job growth in the community.

Amneal has consolidated its distribution logistics and sales operations into the larger 115,000 square-foot facility in Glasgow to better serve its U.S. customers. The industry’s principal offices remain in Hauppauge, N.Y., but the extended operation combines sales operations in Glasgow and the current distribution operation in Fountain Run to increase support for the company’s growth.

“Amneal is tremendously confident in its decision to combine and enlarge our sales operations and distribution center in Glasgow,” said Jim Luce, Amneal executive vice president, sales & marketing. “The outstanding quality and dedication of our Amneal Kentucky team as well as Glasgow’s broader workforce, a key factor in Amneal’s reputation for service excellence bolstered by the compelling economic incentives, convinced us to invest our future in Kentucky.”  

Additional products currently being distributed from Long Island, N.Y., will be relocated to the new local facility once the transition is complete.

“We’re extremely pleased that Amneal Pharmaceuticals has made a substantial capital investment and utilized the business incentives offered by Kentucky to grow its operations and increase local employment,” said Secretary Larry Hayes of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Amneal’s partnership with Kentucky is a testament to the strength of our business climate and commitment to moving our economy forward.”

Amneal will add much-needed diversity to the local mix of business and industrial employers, according to Dan Iacconi, executive director of Glasgow-Barren County Industrial Development & Economic Authority.

IDEA board members and chairman Owen Lambert, Roxann Fry with the Tennessee Valley Authority, chamber of commerce executives and members and other local government and business representatives will also attend the ceremony.

 Company officials scheduled for appearance at the event are CEO Chintu Patel, President Chirag Patel, Vice President of Research & Development Kanu Patel, Logistics/IT Manager Tony Hodges, Director of Sales Operations Marty Ross and Luce.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is a U.S.-based firm that develops, manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Established in 2002, the company utilizes its newly expanded research and development and manufacturing capabilities to conceive breakthrough developments with lasting impact for a robust product pipeline, according to information provided by the company.

The firm is currently the ninth largest U.S. generic supplier in number of prescriptions dispensed, according to June 2010 IMS Health data, moving up from 12th position in just one year.