Fast-growing LI drugmaker expanding again

One of Long Island's fastest-growing drugmakers is expanding again.

Contract Pharmacal Corp. plans to double the size of a Hauppauge building that it bought in January to accommodate burgeoning demand for its over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements, a company attorney said this week.

The Hauppauge-based company will add a second story to 145 Oser Ave., and convert the basement for production. The project will cost $6.2 million.

The 70,000-square-foot building is Contract Pharmacal's seventh on Long Island. Since 2010, its payroll has grown to 925 from 450.

"They are still looking for another building but they decided to expand this one because they cannot wait," said attorney Garrett L. Gray. "They have been getting a number of large contracts of late."

The drugmaker's primary customers are other drug companies and retailers.

The additions to 145 Oser Ave. will create 50 jobs on top of the 60 planned when the building was purchased.

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The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency on Thursday backed the additions with $2.2 million in tax breaks over 20 years, including $1.8 million in property tax savings.

The aid follows $791,428 in tax breaks awarded in October.

In March, New York State agreed to reduce Contract Pharmacal's electric bills over seven years in return for employment and investment commitments. The company also has received state tax credits.

The incentives helped to keep Contract Pharmacal here. It had considered moving to Florida in 2010. The business is owned by the Wolf family.

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IDA secretary Steve Rossetti asked the drugmaker's lawyer if it was interested in buying the cavernous factory and warehouse in Commack that's being vacated by Forest Laboratories Inc. of Manhattan.

Gray said Contract Pharmacal would prefer to stay in the Hauppauge Industrial Park.