NORWICH – A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at Norwich Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday, putting in motion a $26 million expansion project that company spokesmen say will make Norwich a more aggressive competitor in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

In March, the company formally announced the undertaking – its single largest capitol investment since the plant was constructed in 1976. The scope of the project includes a 26,000 square foot building expansion (growing the structure size to a total 385,000 square feet) as well as acquisition and installation of new processing equipment which executives say will help the company keep pace with production demands coming down the pike.

Alvogen, the parent company of Norwich Pharmaceuticals, plans to have the project completed by fall, 2016.

“Although we’re a young company, we have a long history,” said Chris Young, Alvogen’s Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain. “That’s because of everyone here in this Norwich facility. This is a 128-year-old business and we grabbed onto the heels of that business, and this is what gave us our start in the industry.”

In seven years, Alvogen has grown to more than 2,300 employees in 34 countries; and has rooted manufacturing sites in Norwich, Romania, and South Korea. Its impact in Chenango County consists of a $25 million annual payroll for the 277 employees at the Norwich plant.