Hollister-Stier starts building warehouse

Hollister-Stier Laboratories Inc. has begun construction of a modern warehouse and announced plans to move some workers off-site to alleviate cramped conditions at its north Spokane buildings.

Both initiatives are the result of growth at the company, which has two major lines of business: It produces allergy-treatment products for U.S. and global customers, and it performs contract filling and packaging services for major drug-makers.

“Business has been good and we need the extra space,” said Janelle Jovick-Leonard, a company spokeswoman.

The $2-million temperature-controlled warehouse will replace the company’s old warehouse, which will be converted this year for use as a production facility, said Jovick-Leonard.

Work on the new warehouse started in March and will be finished this summer, said Jovick-Leonard.

“The new building alleviates congestion near the manufacturing areas and provides 10,000 square feet for future growth,” Jovick-Leonard added.

For three years Hollister-Stier officials have discussed adding a second production line to its cramped operation at 3525 N. Regal. The conversion of the old warehouse into a production site “allows us to move toward that direction,” said Jovick-Leonard.

No decision to add a second production line has occurred, she added.

While both warehouses have a 10,000-square-foot footprint, the new one has more capacity since it can store 1,200 pallets compared to 700 in the older building.

One of Hollister-Stier’s large projects is with BioPort Corp. of Lansing, Mich. Hollister receives anthrax vaccine from the Michigan company, then places it inside sterilized vials. Those vials then are shipped by BioPort for use by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The company has 350 workers.

Fourteen customer-service employees are relocating this week to leased office space near Interstate 90, the company announced.

Hollister-Stier is leasing space at the Tapio Center at 104 S. Freya.

Those workers are the company’s customer service contacts for allergen products, Jovick-Leonard said.