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Duluth-based Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. is bolstering its investment in Georgia with a commitment to invest $120 million in Gwinnett, Clarke, and Hall counties, according Gov. Brian Kemp's office.

Boehringer Ingelheim said Friday the animal health company will create 225 jobs in the counties, including 75 at its North American headquarters in Duluth. More than 100 new jobs will go to its manufacturing and R&D facility in Athens, and 50-plus more at the company’s Gainesville manufacturing facility, according to a news release from the governor's office.

Boehringer Ingelheim announced in November of 2016 it would move its North American animal health headquarters from Kansas City to Duluth.

“We’re excited to welcome Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. to the Peach State,” said Gov. Kemp, according to Friday's news release. His office later amended the quote to read, “We’re excited to announce further investment from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. in our state.”

“As a family-owned business, they will join a first-class corporate family here in Georgia," Kemp added. "I look forward to working with them to strengthen our university system and existing industries in agribusiness, health technology, and science.”

Boehringer Ingelheim's animal-health business focuses on preventive healthcare by developing vaccines, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals. The company's products for dogs and cats as well as cattle, swine, poultry and horses include the brands Frontline, Heartgard, Nexgard, Gastrogard and Ingelvac. 

The company employs more than 3,000 people in the United States. Earlier this week, Everett Hoekstra was named the new president of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., succeeding Paul Fonteyne, who retired after 15 years with the company. 

“For nearly 40 years, the company and its predecessors have helped make the state of Georgia a key player in animal health — from its beginning producing rabies vaccines in Athens, to multiple facilities today, that are playing an instrumental role in advancing animal health and well-being,” Hoekstra said in the news release. “Our investments will expand our capabilities and presence in Georgia, and drive future growth and innovation to help prevent disease in livestock and pets.”

Boehringer Ingelheim, headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, is the second largest animal health business in the world with net sales in 2017 of $4.4 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide. 

Parent company Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, with approximately 50,000 employees. 

“It’s a great day in Georgia when we can announce that a project will spur job creation in three counties,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Boehringer Ingelheim’s new US animal health headquarters and dual expansions are a testament to our colleges and universities as well the resources surrounding agribusiness and veterinary sciences in Georgia."