Watson Pharmaceuticals has announced that its Anda
Distribution division will construct a 234,000 square foot, state-of-the-art
pharmaceutical distribution facility in Olive Branch, DeSoto County, MS.
The company said the facility, which is expected to begin operation in the
second quarter of 2012, will employ approximately 70 workers. Anda officials
credited the cooperation of the Mississippi Development Authority and Governor Haley
Barbour’s administration in its decision to invest approximately $23.5 million
in the construction and outfitting of the Mississippi
facility, and the relocation of operations from its current facility in Groveport, Ohio,
to the state. IDI has been hired to construct the building at Crossroads Distribution
Center, which is located
just off Highway 78 in Olive Branch.

“We are very appreciative of the pro-business,
pro-investment climate of Mississippi and Governor Barbour’s administration,
and of the welcome and support we have received from the state, DeSoto County
and Olive Branch government and business leaders,” said Albert Paonessa
III, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Anda Distribution.
“We are proud to join the number of companies that have located
operations, or expanded current operations here, over the past several years. We
look forward to being a solid contributor to local employment, the local
business community, and to enhancing our service to our national customers
following our initiation of operations at the Olive Branch facility.”

“Our new Olive Branch facility will enable Anda to
maximize our proximity to and business relationship with Fed Ex, our current
primary shipper,” Paonessa continued. “The new facility, as planned,
will be more appropriately sized than our current leased facility in Ohio, resulting in
significant efficiencies that will further streamline Anda’s operations. Finally,
Mississippi was very supportive of our efforts
to locate in the greater Memphis
area, and to creating additional jobs to support the local economy.”