Cook Medical Purchases North Carolina Cigarette Factory

(Image courtesy of Cook Group)

Bloomington-based Cook Medical has finalized an agreement to purchase a former North Carolina cigarette factory. The medical device manufacturer completed an agreement to buy the facility in Winston-Salem’s Whitaker Park and plans to convert a section of the longstanding R.J. Reynolds facility into a manufacturing facility this year. 

The 850,000 square foot building was built in 1961 and will house Cook Medical’s 650 Winston-Salem employees, with the hopes of adding 50 jobs over the next decade. 

“This space will offer us additional flexibility with production capabilities and represents our continued investment in the local community,” said Barry Slowey, president of Cook Medical’s Winston-Salem location. “Whitaker Park presents tremendous opportunities for us to continue developing and manufacturing medical devices for patients around the world.”

Cook Medical has had a presence in Winston-Salem since 1983.