KINSTON, N.C.
(AP) — A Kinston, NC
plant that was rebuilt after a deadly explosion in 2003 is about to expand.

Company officials say West Pharmaceutical Services will
invest $29 million to install “world-class technologies” at its only North Carolina site. It
was not immediately clear if any jobs would be added. A formal announcement of
the expansion was planned Thursday.

The Kinston
plant has 255 workers and makes syringe plungers and other components of
intravenous (IV) systems.

West is a pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and
medical-device company with 50 locations worldwide. Its headquarters is in Lionville, PA.

An explosion caused by combustible dust at the Kinston plant in 2003
killed six people and injured three dozen.