Some 80 new jobs are being created as part of a €53.2m plant expansion for DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson, which will manufacture devices for orthopaedic and neurological care.
The facility at Ringaskiddy in Cork already employs more than 800 people.
In addition, the new state-of-the-art facility will feature a Medical Device Test Methods Centre of Excellence laboratory to advance quality-testing methods across the Johnson & Johnson family of medical device companies, while also creating potential expansion opportunities for other Johnson & Johnson companies.
Johnson & Johnson is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medical devices, with 2014 medical device sales of $27.5 billion.
“The decision to expand this site in Ireland was a strategically important investment due to the site’s strong track record of excellence in quality and innovation to support the growing demand of our business around the world,” said Willem Appelo, VP of supply chain at Johnson & Johnson Global Orthopaedics Group.
DePuy Synthes first established a manufacturing facility in Ringaskiddy, Cork in 1997.
Today, the DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction portfolio includes more than 200 products manufactured at multiple sites around the world.
Massive additional investment by J&J in Ireland
“It represents a significant additional investment by Johnson & Johnson, which will allow its medical devices company De Puy Synthes to consolidate its position as a world-class manufacturer and further enhance its reputation for excellence,” Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said.
“80 extra jobs is great news for Cork and for the region.”
The investment by DePuy Synthes comes just a day after it emerged that Vistakon, another Johnson & Johnson company, is creating 200 jobs in Limerick as part of a €100m investment.
“It’s a strong endorsement of the site’s ability to deliver excellence in innovation and manufacturing, which in turn acts as an exemplar for this key medical devices sector in the south region and Ireland,” IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said.
“This announcement, following as it does yesterday’s news that Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Ireland) Limited, trading as Vistakon Ireland, is to invest over €100m in the expansion of its manufacturing operations at its site in Plassey in Limerick, demonstrates a substantial and very welcome commitment by the J&J group of companies to Ireland.”
Cork harbour image via Shutterstock
