Pharmaceutical automation engineered for precision, compliance, and scale

AIR partners with leading pharmaceutical companies to design, build, and support advanced automation systems for complex, highly regulated production environments. From product handling, filling, inspection, packaging, and serialization to full-line integration, we bring the engineering depth, project discipline, and scale needed to deliver high-performance solutions with confidence.

Why AIR

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45-year track record.

Delivering innovation and scale for pharma manufacturers since 1979.

600+ global team.

Drawing on decades of innovation in high-speed, advanced pharma manufacturing.

6 fully integrated facilities.

One team across multiple US and European facilities, with 400,000+ sq ft of production space.

Patients deserve a faster, cheaper supply of clinical trial medicines with much less waste. The patented PACE platform delivers this, unlocking true JIT capabilities – multiple small runs can be delivered quickly and efficiently under cleanroom conditions.

Lee Mitchell, Business Manager, AIR

Why AIR for pharma

End-to-end partner

Deep, agile collaboration and 360 support — from ideas to concepts, build to commissioning, maintenance to optimization.

AIR is proud to support some of the world’s most advanced production teams in the pharma industry.

Scale and agility

With 600 people, six facilities, and 400,000 sq ft of capability behind us, we have the infrastructure to scale complex solutions reliably. Yet we operate with the flexibility, energy, and hands-on mindset of an ambitious, progressive engineering partner to help our pharma clients innovate, scale, and win.

Scale and agility

Deep pharma process and product expertise

We bring the latest thinking, expertise, and equipment from handling, feeding and filling, to inspection, traceability, and packaging. Our cross-functional pharma engineering expertise will help bring your products to market faster, smarter, and more sustainably.

Expertise

Proven, consistent, 7-step project management framework

Every pharmaceutical project is executed using our proven, standardized seven-step project management framework consistently applied across the AIR organization. Combining engineering disciplines, key suppliers, and customers into a single, unified delivery model.

Project management

All-in commitment

Our project management system provides structure and consistency, but collaboration is where we truly differentiate. We align around shared goals, open communication, and clear accountability, integrating pharma customers and suppliers into one focused team.

All-in commitment

Full lifecycle support with AIR360

When new pharma manufacturing systems go live, we don’t step back; we lean in. AIR360 delivers full lifecycle support for both our systems and third-party equipment, with proactive maintenance, training, and upgrades that maximize performance, reduce downtime, and extend asset life.

Pharma sector capabilities

Pharmaceutical process and product experience

AIR brings together deep automation expertise, proven project delivery, and the scale to support complex pharmaceutical programs from concept through commissioning and lifecycle support.

PACE platform for clinical trials drug processing

Our patented, scalable platform, built to dramatically reduce time-to-market for new drugs. One solution for production, packaging, and labeling, in a GMP environment with real-time quality checks.

More about our PACE platform

Process development

Proof of principle projects, design for manufacture assistance, and OEE improvement initiatives.

Robotics

Robotic automation for conveyor tracking, tray handling, and high-precision pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging operations.

Product transfer systems

Rotary indexing, linear indexing, servo pallet systems, and conveyor pallet systems.

Part assembly

Servo pick and place, pneumatic pick and place, e-camming, and robotic cells.

Feeding systems

Bowl feeding, flexible part feeding, and tray handling.

Custom filling systems

Advanced high-speed filling systems for bottles, solution bags, and pouches, engineered for precision, consistency, and regulated pharmaceutical production.

Tube handling

PVC tube handling and coiling, non-PVC tube handling and coiling, and silicone tube handling/assembly.

Dispensing solutions

Solvent application, gluing, grease application, and UV curing.

Inspection & vision systems

Machine control vision (robotics & servo), product quality vision, and line scanning.

Joining techniques

Spin welding, ultrasonic welding, and adhesive bonding.

Printing & labeling solutions

Inkjet printing, laser marking, hot foil stamping, pad printing, and labeling.

Testing processes

Functionality tests, flow and leak tests, electrical tests, hi-pot tests, torque tests, pull tests, quality tests, and vision tests.

Serialization & traceability systems

To support compliance, product integrity, and end-to-end visibility across pharmaceutical production.

Packaging & end-of-line automation systems

Supporting accuracy, compliance, traceability, and high-throughput pharmaceutical production.

Validation-ready documentation & support

Streamlining qualification, compliance, and pharmaceutical production approvals.

Pharmaceutical capabilities

Pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise

Ultrasonic welding, adhesion, bonding, and lamination
Laser process development and integration
Custom lyophilized bead handling and automation
Precision dispense of low and high-viscosity fluids
Solid bead and powder reagent fill
Aseptic environment compliance
Precision alignment, orientation, feed, and assembly
Defect inspection, sort, bin
Clinical trials drug processes

Pharmaceutical packaging & packing expertise

High-throughput robotic pick and place
Testing and inspection
Labeling and verification
Serialization and track & trace
High-speed product packaging
High-speed product handling

Pharma case studies

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Certification and standards excellence

CGMP regulations, as enforced by the FDA
ISO class 7 & 8, cleanroom equipment
ATEX & high-temperature environments 200°C+
Sealed nitrogen environments
Computer validation system in compliance with GEP/GMP regulations
Qualification system in line with GAMP requirements
Hardware and software systems validated to GAMP-5
FDA mandatory Unique Device Identifiers (UDI) regulations
EU Medical Device Regulations (MDR) 2017/745
TÜV SÜD validation

Pharmacy automation drastically improves accuracy. Automated in-line and camera-verified label printing is one of the many ways of reducing labeling mistakes. This reduces error-related costs and supports compliance with UK healthcare standards and regulations without hindering the speed or efficiency of the process. In fact, speed and efficiency levels improve.

AIR

Sites

Rochester Hills, MI, USA

Wakefield, UK

Shannon, Ireland

AIR Silicon Valley facility exterior in Fremont

Silicon Valley, CA, USA

Mullingar, Ireland

Sligo, Ireland

Pharma case studies

Pharma

High-speed pharmaceutical labeling and serialization for secure product traceability

A leading pharmaceutical company needed an automated solution capable of applying tamper-evident labels and unique device identification (UDI) labels to a variety of pharmaceutical cartons at high speed.

Rendering of a just-in-time clinical trials manufacturing line

Pharma

Just-in-time clinical trials manufacturing system accelerates drug introduction

Scotland’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) required a manufacturing system capable of rapidly introducing new medicines into clinical trials while maintaining pharmaceutical hygiene…

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