October is not just about post-season baseball and Arizona manufacturers- it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why it was so fitting that the latest stop on Governor Brewer’s month-long Arizona Manufacturers tour was to biopharmaceutical manufacturer, Celgene’s Phoenix plant.
Celgene employees wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Here, Celgene is manufacturing breakthrough therapies to treat melanoma and breast, lung and pancreatic cancers. These innovative treatments are improving outcomes and quality of life for patients fighting some of the most aggressive, devastating diseases of the day and Celgene’s commitment to patient support only multiplies their impact.
This Fortune 500 Company employs 4,500 people worldwide, with 250 employees here at the Phoenix plant. These jobs are high-skill, high-wage positions: the average Celgene salary is $90,000 and more than half of the Phoenix employees have a post-secondary degree. Of those with post-secondary degrees, 42 percent come from one of Arizona’s three world-class universities.
Gov. Brewer and I discuss Celgene’s work to improve patient outcomes and create quality Arizona jobs
Celgene is creating high-quality jobs and a rewarding work environment for its Arizona employees. But don’t take my word for it- in 2013 a Business Insider report declared Celgene to be the best company in the country to work for, based on employee satisfaction and salaries. Celgene beat out companies like Google, Chevron and Yahoo! to earn this top honor.
We know that manufacturers create jobs that are highly satisfying, require great skill and pay competitive wages. Celgene is doing all of this while creating life-saving cancer treatments. As I’ve mentioned, thanks to the leadership of Governor Brewer and our state legislature, Arizona is an extraordinarily friendly place for manufacturers to do business. We need to continue to do all we can to attract and expand these kinds of jobs in our state.
Gov. Brewer presents Celgene with the Arizona Manufacturers Month proclamation
As we enter the homestretch of the month of playoff beards and pink ribbons, we should take pride in companies like Celgene and others who are creating life-changing, innovative products right here in Arizona.