Novartis Decision To Close Was Unexpected

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said Novartis’ decision to close was a surprise to county economic development officials. He said they are already moving beyond that and reaching out to companies that might be interested in the Suffern site. 

“We’re looking to see if we have any potential people, companies to come in,” said Day on Thursday. 

Novartis announced on Tuesday it was closing its Suffern plant, which employs 525 workers, of whom 280 are New York residents. The shutdown will begin within months and take two to three years. The facility produces Diovan whose patent expired several years ago.

Day said neither the Rockland Economic Development Corporation nor Rockland County Industrial Development Agency had any prior knowledge of Novartis’ plans. He said the company had made its decision a while ago. Day said he had not yet spoken with Suffern’s mayor. 

“We’re going to move forward and we’re going to do our best to ensure that we have a ratable there,” he said.