A global medical technology company is relocating part of its manufacturing operations from California to Mexico

CareFusion, a San Diego-based company that manufactures healthcare tools and technology, is shifting its manufacturing operations from San Diego to Tijuana, which will also involve some layoffs. These changes will affect approximately 180 jobs in the local area.

The company, a subsidiary of New Jersey’s BD (Becton Dickinson and Company), was acquired by BD in 2014 for $12.2 billion. CareFusion’s decision to move its operations is largely due to outgrowing its San Diego facility, which no longer meets its production requirements as effectively as the newer facility in Tijuana.

By early next year, CareFusion plans to have fully relocated 91 manufacturing jobs from its medication management solutions (MMS) division. Consequently, the MMS infusion manufacturing, engineering, and quality functions will cease at their current San Diego location.

These positions are part of BD Medical, BD’s primary revenue-generating business segment, which produces infusion pumps and syringes used for IV drips in hospitals.

According to a company representative, to keep up with demand for the BD Alaris Infusion System, a thorough analysis of their manufacturing network was conducted last year to increase capacity and continue meeting customer needs. The BD Alaris pump was recently updated and received FDA clearance after prior recalls required fixes or replacements of older device models.

In early 2024, BD began moving some infusion manufacturing activities from San Diego to its 170,000 sq. ft. facility in Tijuana, with dual manufacturing of infusion products starting in both locations this summer. The representative confirmed that non-manufacturing roles at the San Diego site are not affected by these operational changes.

The spokesperson emphasized BD’s strategic use of cross-border efficiencies in the Tijuana-San Diego region. The Tijuana facility, which opened in 2022, employs approximately 900 workers and is one of the company’s largest manufacturing sites. The economies of scale available at this modern facility were not feasible with the smaller San Diego site.

In addition to the relocation, CareFusion is reducing its workforce by 92 positions at its facility on Torrey View Court, as outlined in a WARN notice filed with the state. The layoffs began on September 10 and will occur in phases through the end of the year.

This announcement follows another round of layoffs in August, during which CareFusion let go 117 local employees in its medication management solutions division to enhance operational efficiency.

BD reaffirmed its commitment to the San Diego area, noting that it employs around 3,800 people locally, representing the second-largest employee population outside its headquarters in Franklin Lakes, NJ. As of September 30, BD’s global workforce totals approximately 73,000.

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