Tariffs cause ‘uptick in demand’ for BD syringes

NORTH CANAAN — Following recently implemented international tariffs, Becton, Dickinson & Company’s Connecticut plant has reported an increase in demand for its domestically made syringes and needle products.

“Since we manufacture these products in the U.S., the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada that went into effect on March 4th do not apply to the products we manufacture at the Canaan facility,” BD spokesperson Fallon McLoughlin said.

“Given prior FDA actions and quality concerns along with tariffs put on certain Chinese imports, we saw an uptick in demand for domestically made syringes and needle products that continues.”

BD, the largest manufacturer of medical devices in the United States, based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, employs about 500 workers at its North Canaan facility.

The North Canaan operation “plays a critical role in providing essential needles and syringes for the U.S. health care system,” according to company officials.

It recently added three additional manufacturing lines and hired approximately 140 people in the last year to keep up with increased demand, “while driving operational efficiencies to help increase capacity, adding hundreds of millions of units annually.”

Given these dynamics, “we don’t anticipate any additional significant impact to our Canaan facility from the more recent tariffs implemented by the Trump administration,” Mcloughlin reported.

The Connecticut plant manufactures small-size syringes and syringe and needle combination products. Operations take place around the clock and are sold in every region worldwide.