Jubilant HollisterStier Contract & Manufacturing Services, the big Spokane-based sterile allergy-product maker, is in the process of making $3.5 million worth of equipment upgrades and related remodeling work at its East Spokane facility, at 3525 N. Regal.

The project involves about 4,000 square feet of the company's mold facility, says HollisterStier spokeswoman Alison Marlin.

That portion of the manufacturer's overall 191,000-square-foot facility is designated for the production of sterile-injectable products related to the diagnoses and treatment of mold allergies, Marlin says. She adds that the area undergoing work was constructed in the early 1980s and is in need of updating.

Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the project's general contractor. The installation of new equipment and related construction work is anticipated to be completed next April, Marlin says.

The company's most recent sizable expansion was completed in early 2008 when it added 55,000 square feet of space to its facility here at a cost of $42 million.

HollisterStier executives told the Journal late this July that it still was moving into that space.

Company CEO Marcelo Morales also said then that another sizable expansion of its facility here was included in its long-range plan, but that it wouldn't be needed for some time.

As of that time, Hollister employed about 530 people.