News & Events

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today announced that BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is to invest €52 million, with the support of IDA Ireland, in the development and expansion of its medical devices global manufacturing centre in Drogheda, Co. Louth. The investment will add a new dimension to the existing manufacturing operation and is expected to create an additional 125 new jobs over five years in engineering, processes and operations, of which 30% will require a third level qualification.

BD, a leading global medical technology company that makes and sells medical devices, instrumented systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. It was one of the first IDA-supported overseas medical technology companies to establish a facility in Ireland, commencing operations in Drogheda in 1964 and Dun Laoghaire in 1970. Both facilities are currently global manufacturing centres for specific diabetes care devices: blood lancets in Drogheda and insulin injecting pen needles in Dun Laoghaire. The company has invested a total of €115 million in its Irish plants over the last 10 years, resulting in two highly automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. The company also has a small shared services centre in Shannon and is an industry partner in the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, based in Dublin City University.

Minister Martin said, “BD has operations in 50 countries worldwide and is a global leader in the medical technology industry. Its decision to expand the Drogheda manufacturing centre is excellent news as it consolidates the existing operation and will provide additional employment in Drogheda. It will also further enhance the Irish operation’s role within the Company’s global business. Today’s announcement underlines IDA Ireland’s efforts to encourage the expansion of existing multinational companies in Ireland to take on additional high value activities to sustain competitiveness for the future.”

The Drogheda centre will be responsible for the manufacture of a new high value product, a pre-filled syringe, BD™ Saline XS, which is the Company’s first investment of this type at a European site. This coincides with the substantial expansion of the manufacturing capacity for its existing products in both the Drogheda and Dun Laoghaire sites and will require retraining of the employees.

“This investment is of strategic importance for the Drogheda centre and its position within our global operations. Ireland was chosen against strong competition from other BD locations worldwide,” said Michael Loftus, Country General Manager, BD Medical -Diabetes Care in Ireland. “The decision was influenced by the attractiveness of Ireland as a manufacturing location, its proximity to the European market, the availability of suitable people to fill the new manufacturing jobs and the support of IDA Ireland. The existing reputation of the Drogheda centre also played a significant role with its high-calibre workforce and presence of specialist skills and, in addition, the availability of high quality manufacturing space.”

Note to Editor: About BD

BD, a leading global medical technology company that makes and sells medical devices, instrumented systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company’s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world’s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs more than 25,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public.For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

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