Solventum celebrates major expansion in Brookings

BROOKINGS — Major healthcare company Solventum celebrated its 200,000 square-foot expansion in Brookings with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2.

Wielding the ceremonial scissors was South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, joined by District 7 state Sen. Tim Reed, who is also a former Brookings mayor, current Brookings Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer, and several company dignitaries. Other participants — at times applauding and waving celebratory green pom poms — were about 300 Solventum employees.

In addition to the additional square feet of manufacturing space, the facility gains 16 additional shipping docks; an 8,000-pallet slot warehouse; and expanded laboratory and office space.

The governor noted that with the expansion, Solventum now has more than one million square feet under one roof and is a “pretty incredible business,” with a continuing presence of more than 50 years.

Reed noted that at one time he and his mother worked at what was then 3M. Niemeyer honored the ribbon cutting ceremony for the city with a mayoral proclamation.

— Contact John Kubal at [email protected].