Alcon Expands Operations in Huntington, West Virginia

Alcon, a global leader in eyecare, is expanding its manufacturing operations in Cabell County, West Virginia, with an $81 million investment. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the expansion during a press conference, stating that the project is expected to create 75 new high-paying jobs in the region.

The company specializes in the production of intraocular lenses for cataract patients across the globe. The Huntington facility serves as a key site for the manufacturing of these lenses and their delivery systems.

A History of Investment in Huntington

Alcon has maintained a presence in the Huntington community for more than 36 years, having first established operations in West Virginia in 1989. This latest $81 million investment follows a series of previous capital improvements aimed at scaling the facility’s capacity and technology.

In 2007, the company committed to a $45 million expansion project, which reached completion in 2011. More recently, Alcon broke ground in 2023 on another project designed to integrate cutting-edge technology and improve operational efficiency.

That specific project, which was recently celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, involved a capital investment of more than $60 million. According to company officials, this project brought advanced technology and enhanced infrastructure to the Huntington campus.

At Alcon, we aspire to lead the world in innovating life-changing vision products because, when people see brilliantly, they live brilliantly. Today, we’re proud to showcase the completion of our more than $60 million capital improvement project that brings advanced technology and enhanced infrastructure to our Huntington campus.

Patrick Collier, senior vice president of global manufacturing and technical operations at Alcon

Economic and Operational Impact

The ongoing expansions are part of a broader strategy to maintain the facility’s role in the global supply of eyecare products. By investing in infrastructure and operational efficiency, Alcon aims to sustain its production of intraocular lenses and related delivery systems.

The most recent $81 million investment announced by Governor Morrisey focuses on further expanding the footprint in Cabell County. The addition of 75 high-paying jobs is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the local workforce.

Candace Childers, Alcon’s vice president and Huntington general manager, noted that the company’s arrival in 1989 marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership with the region. The sequence of investments—from the $45 million project in 2007 to the $60 million project starting in 2023 and the current $81 million expansion—demonstrates a sustained commitment to the West Virginia site.

The Huntington facility remains a critical component of Alcon’s global manufacturing network, ensuring that cataract patients worldwide have access to necessary vision-correcting lenses.