Garonit Pharmaceutical Inc., which is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, and operates a manufacturing plant in India along with facilities in Japan, Hong Kong and Great Britain, plans to build a new plant in the Town of New Windsor in Orange County. New Windsor is where New York Stewart International Airport is located.
The $46.1 million project would create a 200,000-square-foot facility that would be the world’s largest chlorhexidine gluconate manufacturing operation, producing antiseptic products used in hospitals for surgical disinfection and infection prevention. The facility would be constructed on a long-vacant parcel near the airport.
There would be production lines for the antiseptic products and a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with advanced analytical equipment for quality testing and research. In addition to its antiseptic products, Garonit is in the business of providing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to drug manufacturers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said that New York state is supporting this project with up to $3.5 million through the Excelsior Jobs Program and a $300,000 Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) capital grant.
“With this investment, we are not only creating good-paying jobs but also reaffirming that New York is where innovation and opportunity meet,” Hochul said.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year with production operations anticipated to start in January 2027. The project will create an estimated 100 to 150 construction jobs followed by 100 full-time positions. The facility will ship products to existing customers in North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, and other global markets.
The company is owned by brothers Rohit and Nitin Garg, who founded it in 1994 in Mumbai, India.
Nitin Garg said, “In designing our new manufacturing facility, we were thrilled to incorporate a dedicated technology research and development center in New Windsor, which will serve as a hub for formulating new FDA-regulated products. This milestone is strengthened by our collaboration with SUNY Orange, as we work together to develop programs that bridge operational excellence with advanced research and development.”
According to Marsha Gordon, co-chair of MHREDC, “The Garonit Pharmaceutical facility represents a transformative opportunity for Orange County and demonstrates the impact of strategic regional planning. This investment will create meaningful employment opportunities for our residents while advancing our region as a destination for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The comprehensive workforce development partnership with SUNY Orange ensures that local residents will be prepared to participate in this growing industry and benefit from the career opportunities it provides.”
Garonit Pharmaceutical has begun collaborating with SUNY Orange Community College to develop specialized training programs designed to prepare local residents for high-skill positions with the company. Garonit will also offer positions requiring bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD qualifications, and plans to allow employees to work while pursuing advanced degrees.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said, “This investment underscores the strength of our business climate and our commitment to innovation. The project will create high-quality careers for local residents, fuel long-term growth, and position Orange County for sustainable economic success. We’re proud to support Garonit’s vision and excited to be part of their future.”
