150 roles on offer as new Phibro biologics manufacturing facility plans initial focus on producing vaccines for the treatment of a range of poultry diseases.
New Jersey-headquartered animal health company Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) has announced plans to establish a biotech facility at the IDA Finisklin Business Park in Sligo, creating 150 new roles in the west over the next five years.
The new positions will incorporate management, quality analysis, quality control, regulatory and engineering as well as operators and maintenance staff. Those interested in the jobs are advised to email hr.sligo@pahc.com.
Phibro develops, markets and manufactures a broad range of animal health and nutrition products, primarily for farm animals (poultry, swine, cattle and dairy) as well as for aquaculture customers around the world.
The new biologics manufacturing location will be the company’s first European site and will create and distribute a range of innovative health vaccines.
The plant will initially focus on producing vaccines for the treatment of a range of poultry diseases for sales globally. It is expected that Phibro will expand production in Sligo to include vaccines for livestock and aquaculture.
“The creation of Phibro Ireland marks an important milestone in our development as a leading global player in the animal health biological market,” said Jack Bendheim, Phibro’s chair, president and CEO.
“The winning combination of Phibro’s expertise in the development and manufacture of biological products, the driven and experienced workforce available in the Sligo area, and the strong support of the IDA makes us very excited about the potential of the Sligo facility.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed, TD, echoed Bendheim’s sentiments that the announcement was a great endorsement of the bevy of talent in the north-west and will offer more opportunities to local residents and communities.
Creed added: “It further strengthens Ireland’s life sciences capability in the north-west and builds on a series of new IDA projects announced for Sligo and elsewhere in the region over recent times.”
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys, TD, also expressed delight at the news that highly skilled jobs were to land in Connacht. “This has been a fantastic few weeks for Sligo, with announcements from Abtran, E3 Retail and LiveTiles showing how the county is benefiting from both indigenous and FDI investment.”
