Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) recently held a grand opening ceremony at its new, global packaging and distribution warehouse in St. Joseph, Mo.

The warehouse will streamline the process of packaging, material handling and distribution of biological vaccines and pharmaceuticals to more than 50 countries around the world, BIVI said.

Construction on the new consolidated distribution center began in 2012 with an investment of $28.7 million and will have 261,000 sq. ft. of operating space at opening and is designed to meet current requirements and allow for future expansion of biological manufacturing capabilities over the next 10 years with an additional 100,000 sq. ft. available for future growth, according to the announcement.

Installed in the facility are many energy-conserving features including motion sensor lights, high-efficiency chillers and boilers, variable frequency drives on motors, low-water usage fixtures and solar panels installed by Kansas City Power & Light.

"Our new packaging and distribution warehouse allows for future growth," said Dr. Albrecht Kissel, BIVI president and chief executive officer. "This new facility will allow us to meet the needs of customers we serve and prepares us for even further growth in the future."