A leading pharmaceutical company will today announce plans to expand its Irish operations, stepping up production of a new heart disease drug and increasing its labour force in Cork and Dublin to 700. Warner-Lambert, which last September said it would invest £39 million and employ an extra 100 staff, intends hiring a further 40 workers. Sources close to the company said today's announcement formed part of a wider plan to enlarge the business which would see employment at its Irish operations rise to more than 1,000 by the end of next year. It is understood the latest expansion is not being grant-aided by IDA Ireland.
Warner-Lambert has experienced considerable success with its new product, Lipitor, a drug which lowers the level of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor is used in the treatment and prevention of heart disease.
Based in New Jersey, WarnerLambert has some 40,000 employees worldwide and reported annual revenues last year of more than $10 billion (€9.3 billion).
This latest investment will add to the reputation of the Republic as one of the world's top locations for investment by pharmaceutical companies. Industrial strategists say that nine out of the world's top 10 companies in the sector have significant operations in the Republic, and that they, along with 90 other firms, employ more than 12,000 people.
The announcement, to be made by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, follows confirmation yesterday of 280 new jobs for Dublin. The technology company Rand Worldwide said it would generate 100 new jobs in a European services centre. Lexmark also said it planned an expansion of its shared services centre with 100 new jobs, and the adhesive manufacturer Loctite said it would hire a further 70 workers at its plant.
"These are quality companies providing excellent job opportunities in the capital," Ms Harney said yesterday. "Of the posts, 70 per cent will be filled by graduates. "The investments continue to highlight Ireland's attractiveness as a successful location from which to carry out worldwide operations."
