Emcor will develop a standardized energy management and maintenance plan plants that, Patheon believes, could save it more than $3m (€2.1m) over the next 18 months.

Prior to the deal energy management and maintenance operations at the three manufacturing and storage facilities were provided by 426 suppliers.

A Patheon Spokesman told Outsourcing-pharma that: "As a services business ourselves, Patheon has a strategy to focus on our core business and leverage partners for non-core functions.

"Facilities management is not our core business, whilst Emcor is a world leader in this area. They bring to Patheon a proven track record in providing facility, maintenance, and personnel management. Having a partner provide these capabilities also allows Patheon to be more flexible and dynamic as our facility sizes, locations and requirements change.

He went on to say that: "The Emcor deal is part of a comprehensive plan to eliminate waste and cost throughout our company. Patheon Advantage, a program launched in 2008, utilizes Lean Six Sigma and strategic sourcing to transform Patheon capabilities and reduce costs.

"Whereas the three facilities mentioned are not specifically lowering their prices, the contract manufacturing industry overall has seen significant cost pressure – this deal is part of an overall initiative to keep Patheon’s pricing competitive so that our customers get the benefit of our internal cost savings."