IPSWICH is now home to one of Australia’s leading pharmaceutical companies following the completion of a new distribution centre last week.

The Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) 19,000sq m facility at the Citiswich Business Park will employ about 200 people when it is fully operational next April.

The warehouse is the first completed by Walker Corporation at Citiswich since taking control of the project in 2007.

API’s general manager (supply chain) Peter Hourihan said Ipswich was a natural choice for the new distribution centre.

“This will replace the facility we’ve had in Richlands for the past 15 years. We’ve simply outgrown it. We’re one of three wholesale pharmacy distributors in the country and have a 40 per cent share in the market,” Mr Hourihan said.

Walker Corporation national industrial manager Michael Sutherland said Ipswich had garnered a reputation as the place to do business.

“Recent sales show activity is really moving and we’re looking forward to 2010,” Mr Sutherland said. “The (Citiswich) site is not just for big users like API, but also caters for smaller industry from 3000sq m up. It offers flexibility and a prime location.”

Council city works committee chairman Trevor Nardi said Citiswich was attracting quality clients to the area thanks to its location to major infrastructure and skilled labour.

“It’s the leading light in Ipswich as far as industrial development goes,” Cr Nardi said.