Watson Pharmaceuticals Opens Global HQ in Parsippany

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno hailed Watson Pharmaceuticals Thursday for its "wise decision" to stay and expand in New Jersey. The 27-year-old pharmaceutical firm held a grand opening for its new global corporate headquarters at the Morris Corporate Center in Parsippany.

The lieutenant governor and Rep. Rodney Freylinghuysen helped Watson President and CEO Paul Bisaro with the ribbon-cutting, marking the official opening of the four-story, green-focused building.

Guadagno thanked Bisaro and Watson for making the choice to remain in New Jersey.

"Businesses in New Jersey have the choice to go anywhere," she said. "They choose New Jersey because we have the most educated workforce, the most sophisticated logistics and the world's best quality of life."

The lieutenant governor said Watson's decision to build its global headquarters sends a positive message to present and future citizens.

"It shows Watson's commitment to our children, who will have the opportunity to work here," she said. "It shows Watson's commitment to our future."

Freylinghuysen congratulated Bisaro for his company's accomplishment.

"Watson should be enormously proud of the work it does for women's health and, being a man of a certain age, I am grateful for the work it does for urology issues," he joked. "I am glad you stayed in New Jersey."

Bisaro said the company was proud to have its headquarters in New Jersey, "the preminent state for business, and in Parsippany."

"We intend to grow and bring jobs to the Garden State," he said.

Bisaro said the new building has been in the works for the past 18 months. The LEED-certified site is intended to be environmentally responsible and sustainable.

"A minimum of 75 percent of the material used in the construction was recycled or salvaged," he explained.

The Watson headquarters will put different functions from multiple Watson sites under one roof to encourage communication and enhance collaboration, Bisaro said.

"This shows Watson's commitment to be a vibrant New Jersey employer," he added, noting that the company expects to create 500 new jobs in the "next several years."

Bisaro talked about the company's intent to help with the issue of affordable health care in New Jersey. He mentioned Watson's participation in the recent March of Dimes March for Babies event at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Watson also awarded Parsippany High School senior Alissa Velazquez with a $5,000 scholarship that she will use as an incoming freshman at the College of New Jersey, Bisaro said.

"This shows we are serious about being a strong corporate citizen in Parsippany and Morris County," he said.

Local business leaders applauded the new facility.

"This is highly positive," said Paul Boudreau, president of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. "Watson is one of the companies that is growing and hiring more people to work in Morris County. It's making a significant investment here."

Parsippany Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso agreed.

"This helps rateables and helps with employment," he said. "Parsippany is business friendly. The Chamber of Commerce supports this endeavor and looks forward to Watson expanding."

An international array of Watson employees and local political leaders were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

Lt. Gov. Guadagno said events like this show those in doubt that New Jersey welcomes old and new businesses. 

"We embrace businesses that make our state their home," Guadagno told Patch. "New Jersey is the medicine chest of the nation and the world, and that's thanks to companies like Watson."