Johnson & Johnson to invest more than $1 billion in Jacksonville, support 3,500 Jobs

Johnson & Johnson will invest more than $1 billion in Jacksonville, Florida, to expand the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of ACUVUE contact lenses. According to the company, the investment includes a new distribution facility near Jacksonville International Airport and is expected to be fully operational by 2028.

Why is Johnson & Johnson expanding its Jacksonville operations?

The company aims to scale its Vision operations, meet growing demand, and strengthen supply-chain resilience. Joaquin Duato, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, stated that advanced manufacturing in the U.S. is essential for delivering high-quality health care solutions.

Duato noted that this expansion will help the company serve more than 40 million patients globally and within the United States. The move is part of a larger $55 billion commitment to invest in U.S. technology, research and development, and manufacturing through early 2029.

Did You Know? Johnson & Johnson has operated in Jacksonville since 1981 and currently employs approximately 3,500 people in the region.

How does this investment affect local health care production?

Johnson & Johnson already manufactures more than 1.7 billion ACUVUE contact lenses annually for patients in the U.S. The company currently maintains over 1.5 million square feet of operations, research, and distribution facilities in the area.

Mayor Donna Deegan described the investment as a “strong vote of confidence” in the local workforce. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and other officials stated the move would bolster domestic health care production and create jobs in Northeast Florida.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that prioritizing supply-chain resilience through domestic expansion likely reflects a broader industry shift to mitigate global logistics risks. By centering production and distribution in a single U.S. hub, the company may reduce the time between manufacturing and patient delivery.

What happens next for the ACUVUE facilities?

Construction is already underway for the new sites. The company expects the distribution facility and new packaging technologies to be fully operational by 2028.

The expansion could lead to an increase in the company’s existing economic impact, which currently supports roughly $6 billion annually across Florida. Further developments may align with the company’s broader U.S. investment goals ending in 2029.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new Jacksonville facilities be fully operational?
The company expects the site to be fully operational in 2028.

What specific facilities are being added?
The investment includes a new distribution facility near Jacksonville International Airport and advanced manufacturing and packaging technologies.

How many ACUVUE lenses does Johnson & Johnson produce for U.S. patients?
The company manufactures more than 1.7 billion ACUVUE contact lenses annually for U.S. patients.

How do you think increased domestic manufacturing will affect the availability of health care products?