Bracco picks Sanford for its first U.S. plant, with 200 jobs
The Italian diagnostic imaging company will invest $230 million in Lee County to make injectable contrast media.
Bracco Imaging, a diagnostic imaging company headquartered in Milan, Italy, will invest $230 million and create 200 jobs to open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Sanford, Gov. Josh Stein announced on Oct. 27, 2026. The sterile plant in Lee County will manufacture injectable contrast media.
Bracco was founded in 1927, is family-owned, and has production facilities in Europe, Asia and Canada, according to the state's announcement. The state says the Sanford plant will support growing demand for injectable contrast media, with shorter delivery times and lower transportation costs. The new positions include manufacturing, engineering and technical roles, along with support operations, quality, warehousing and administrative jobs, and could create a potential annual payroll impact of more than $20.6 million for the region.
"Producing injectable contrast media here in Sanford brings our supply closer to American hospitals and patients and makes it even more resilient," said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, vice chairman and CEO of Bracco Imaging. "We chose North Carolina for its talent and life sciences ecosystem."
The project is supported in part by a Job Development Investment Grant to Bracco Imaging Operations USA LLC, approved the same day by the state's Economic Investment Committee. Over the grant's 12-year term it authorizes potential reimbursement of up to $2,859,300, paid only after the company meets yearly job creation and investment targets. Because Lee County is a Tier 2 county, the agreement also calls for moving as much as $317,700 into the state's Industrial Development Fund Utility Account. Local partners named in the announcement include Central Carolina Community College, Lee County, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, the City of Sanford and Duke Energy.
About this story
By Sotwire Desk. Written by Sotwire Desk from the sources below. Not a company attestation.
Sotwire Desk. Written by a named Sotwire editor from the sources cited below. Not a company attestation. Sotwire corrects errors publicly.
Key facts
- Bracco Imaging
- Sanford, NC
- Company news
- Desk reported
- Sotwire Desk
- $230 million
- 200
- Sanford, Lee County
- Injectable contrast media
- Yes, per the state announcement
- More than $20.6 million a year
- JDIG, up to $2,859,300 over 12 years
- Milan, Italy
Key events
- Governor announced the Sanford plant; Economic Investment Committee approved the JDIG
Sources
- Governor Stein Announces Italian Diagnostic Imaging Company to Invest $230 Million in Sanford for its First U.S. Manufacturing Plant · Office of Gov. Josh Stein · accessed 2026-10-29
- Governor Stein Announces Italian Diagnostic Imaging Company to Invest $230 Million in Sanford for its First U.S. Manufacturing Plant · N.C. Department of Commerce · accessed 2026-10-29
- Italian diagnostic imaging company to invest $230M, create 200 jobs in Sanford · WRAL · accessed 2026-10-29