The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD and Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD today announced that Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, plans to develop an €80 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility providing approximately 270 jobs at the National Technology Park, Plassey, Limerick.
Ethicon Biosurgery is a worldwide leader in hemostasis and sealing solutions. Recruitment is already underway for the positions which are expected to be filled over the next five years. It is anticipated that the 60,000 square foot facility will be completed by 2015 and that an additional 150 temporary jobs will be created during construction. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.
Minister Bruton, who met senior Johnson & Johnson executives and discussed this project as part of a recent IDA investment mission to the US, said: “Manufacturing is a central pillar of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, and we have put in place a series of measures to help reverse the decline in employment in this area in the past. Today’s announcement that Ethicon Biosurgery, a world-leading company in the medical devices sector, is establishing a manufacturing facility in Limerick with the creation of 270 high-end jobs is brilliant news. This is a model of what we are trying to achieve with our plan – a great global company investing €80 million in a manufacturing plant in Limerick, creating large numbers of permanent jobs as well as construction jobs, with huge knock-on benefits for the surrounding areas. I know Ethicon Biosurgery and IDA have worked hard to get to this point, and I wish the company every success with this project”.
The new Limerick facility will manufacture EVARREST™ Sealant Matrix, a novel product that rapidly and reliably aids in stopping bleeding during surgery. Speaking at today’s announcement, Dan Wildman, Worldwide President, Ethicon Biosurgery, said: “The decision to manufacture EVARREST™ Sealant Matrix in Ireland was due to the unique clustering of medical device manufacturing, automation and biomanufacturing skill sets across the Johnson & Johnson companies already operating in Ireland.” Mr. Wildman also paid tribute to the IDA and the Irish government for their assistance with the project.
“I am delighted that Ethicon Biosurgery has chosen Limerick as the location for their new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which will create 270 number high caliber jobs,” said Minister Noonan. “The IDA is doing an excellent job in attracting jobs and investment to Limerick and with each new investment, the attractiveness of Limerick as a world class hub for life science and high tech companies is growing. I had the pleasure of meeting senior Johnson & Johnson executives with the IDA in New York in January to discuss this exciting project and I would like to wish the management and team here every success.”
Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland commenting on the announcement said “this investment by Ethicon Biosurgery is hugely significant for the Mid West region as a whole. Ethicon Biosurgery’s decision to move here is yet another strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a leading location for the life sciences sector. IDA Ireland has partnered with Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest diversified healthcare company, on many investments since it first established a manufacturing facility in Ireland over 30 years ago.”
Details on recruitment at Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland’s new Limerick facility are available at www.careers.jnj.com<http://www.careers.jnj.com/>. The recruitment hotline is 1800 806 321.
