Medical devices specialist Becton Dickinson plans to invest €52 million in expanding one of its Irish facilities and create 125 jobs.
The US-based company plans to invest the money in expanding its facility in Drogheda, Co Louth, where it makes equipment and injection needles for diabetes treatment.
The move means it will increase staff numbers there from 95 to 220 over five years. One in three new workers will hold a third-level qualification, the company said. Development agency IDA Ireland is supporting the move.
Becton Dickinson already employs 450 people in the Republic at two facilities in Louth and Dún Laoghaire in Dublin.
According to a statement yesterday, it has invested €115 million in both operations over the last 10 years.
The US-based group is one of the longest-established in its business. It is headquartered in New Jersye and has operations in 50 countries. It employs a total of 25,000 people.
Becton Dickinson's country manager, Michael Loftus, said the company chose Drogheda because of the availability of suitably qualified workers, proximity to the European market and the support of IDA Ireland.
The Drogheda centre will be used to manufacture a prefilled syringe for diabetes treatment. It will be the company's first investment of this type at European base.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin welcomed Becton Dickinson's announcement yesterday.
