Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in Jacksonville, Florida, to expand its Vision business operations and strengthen domestic manufacturing, packaging, and distribution capabilities for its eye health products.
The investment is aimed at increasing production capacity for the company’s ACUVUE® contact lens portfolio, one of the world’s leading contact lens brands, while enhancing supply chain resilience and supporting growing global demand for vision care solutions.
The expansion includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art distribution facility in Jacksonville, along with the deployment of advanced manufacturing and packaging technologies designed to improve efficiency and increase output. Company officials said the initiative will help support more than 40 million patients worldwide who rely on Johnson & Johnson Vision products to improve their eyesight and quality of life.
The announcement represents another major step in Johnson & Johnson’s broader commitment to expanding its U.S. operations. Earlier this year, the healthcare giant outlined plans to invest approximately $55 billion across the United States through early 2029, targeting manufacturing, research and development, and technology infrastructure.
Joaquin Duato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, said the latest investment reflects the company’s belief that advanced domestic manufacturing plays a critical role in delivering innovative healthcare solutions to patients globally.
According to Duato, strengthening the company’s Vision operations with next-generation manufacturing, packaging, and distribution capabilities will enhance the resilience of its U.S. supply chain while enabling the company to meet increasing demand for high-quality eye health products. He added that the investment also reflects confidence in the company’s workforce, technology platforms, and decades-long commitment to advancing vision care.
Construction on the new Jacksonville facility is already underway. Johnson & Johnson expects the expanded operations to become fully operational by 2028, creating additional capacity to support future growth in the contact lens market.
The project also reinforces the company’s long-standing economic presence in Florida. Johnson & Johnson estimates that its activities generate approximately $6 billion in annual economic impact across the state. The latest investment is expected to further strengthen Jacksonville’s position as a key hub for advanced manufacturing and life sciences innovation.
The company currently employs approximately 3,500 people in the Jacksonville area, and the expansion is expected to support additional employment opportunities while contributing to regional economic development.
Local leaders welcomed the announcement, highlighting its significance for both the city and the broader Florida economy. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan described the investment as a strong endorsement of the city’s workforce, infrastructure, and growth potential.
She noted that Jacksonville has emerged as a leader in advanced manufacturing and life sciences and said the expansion would create high-quality jobs and long-term economic opportunities for residents while further enhancing the region’s reputation as a center for innovation.
As demand for vision correction solutions continues to grow globally, Johnson & Johnson’s latest investment underscores the increasing importance of domestic manufacturing capacity in the healthcare sector. By expanding production and distribution capabilities in Jacksonville, the company aims to ensure a reliable supply of innovative eye care products while supporting economic growth and strengthening the resilience of its U.S. operations.
The project is expected to play a key role in the future growth of Johnson & Johnson Vision and its efforts to meet the evolving needs of patients around the world.