West Pharmaceutical and Becton Dickinson Announced Layoffs
Two major firms have filed notices to eliminate 155 jobs across Arizona facilities by 2027.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Jobs — General
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West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. and Becton, Dickinson and Co. have notified the Arizona Department of Economic Security of upcoming workforce reductions. The two companies will cut a combined 155 jobs at their respective sites in Scottsdale and Tempe.
Why it matters
The layoffs result from major operational shifts, including a product line sale by West Pharmaceutical and the relocation of manufacturing operations by Becton, Dickinson and Co. These cuts highlight ongoing transitions in the state's medical manufacturing sector.
The companies reported 155 total job losses, with 98 positions affected at West Pharmaceutical Services in Scottsdale and 57 positions at Becton, Dickinson and Co. in Tempe. West Pharmaceutical recently sold a product line to Abbvie Inc. for $112.5 million.
The players
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.
This is a manufacturer of injectable pharmaceutical packaging and delivery systems.
Becton, Dickinson and Co.
This is a global medical technology company that produces medical devices and instrument systems.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
This state agency oversees social services and workforce development programs in Arizona.
Abbvie Inc.
This is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that recently purchased a product line from West Pharmaceutical.
The details
West Pharmaceutical is ceasing a specific product line following its sale to Abbvie Inc., necessitating the staff reduction in Scottsdale. Meanwhile, Becton, Dickinson and Co. is moving its peripheral intervention manufacturing operations from Tempe to other company facilities.
Timeline
January 2026: First job separations occurred.
November 2026: Additional job separations are scheduled.
February 2027: Final job separations and cessation of Tempe operations are slated.
Market Landscape
These layoffs reflect broader consolidation and strategic repositioning within the medical manufacturing sector, where companies are increasingly offloading product lines to optimize efficiency. This trend aligns with the mandates of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which ensures state agencies are alerted to significant workforce shifts.
Local employees in Scottsdale and Tempe may experience transitions as these companies adjust their operational footprints over the next several months. The move suggests a shift in the local job market for medical manufacturing personnel.
The takeaway
These workforce reductions underscore the volatility inherent in specialized medical manufacturing as firms adjust to changing product portfolios. Residents should monitor state labor resources for support during the ongoing transition periods.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the state labor force, visit the Arizona Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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