€8.5m Isotron investment to create new jobs
TEN to fifteen extra jobs may possibly be created in Tullamore's Isotron plant at a later stage, general manager Brian McEvoy told the "Offaly Express" this week, prior to the launch of the company's €8.5m electron beam sterilisation facility
He stressed, however, that the significance of the new facility, which was launched by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, was in safeguarding jobs among suppliers.
The new facility provides an alternative to the ethylene oxide gas and gamma irradiation processes currently provided.
The expansion also includes the addition of two more ethylene oxide sterilisation chambers, making a total of 13 on site.
Isotron Ireland is the country's only sterilisation provider, sterilising about 60% of all medical devices made in Ireland, with the remainder processed by companies in-house or at offshore sterilisation facilities.
The Tullamore operation was established in 1994 to provide contract sterilisation and laboratory services to the medical device, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical indus-tries.
Mr Cowen pointed out that Isotron operated on 19 sites in nine countries. He said that the investment "speaks volumes" about the company's confidence. Employment had grown from 11 in 1994 to 80 today, and he assured the company of the Government's continued support.
An Taoiseach commented, "Iamdelighted to have been invited to officially open Isotron Ireland's new Electron Beam Sterilisation Facility. This event marks a new chapter in thedevelopment of Isotron Ireland. This new facility represents a major investment - €8.5 million - in the company's future.
"Isotron here in Tullamore is positioned to be one of the world's largest sterilisation centres. But its significance goes well beyond this. As our only sterilisation provider, Isotronis of key infrastructural impor-tance in attracting Medical Technology companies to Ireland.
"This is a very important industry sector for us. Ireland has the leading cluster of Medical Technology industries in Europe and nine of the top ten global companies have significant manufacturing operations here. And the great thing is that the sector, worth €280 bn globally, is growing at a rate of 7% annually.
"The Midlands Region and Galway in the West are the key locations for the Medical Device sector. So today's announcement is good news, not just for Tullamore but for the Midlands and for the country as a whole" concluded Mr Cowen.
Mr Paul Santing, CEO, Isotron International, pointed out that the company operated in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and China as well as Ireland.
Mr Mike O'Neill, Executive Director, Isotron Group, recalled Mr Cowen opening the facility and paid tribute to the staff for the quality of their work.
He added, "This is one of the most significant developments for the Isotron Group. It emphasises our continued commitment to the industry in Ireland and ensures our customers are positioned to develop and market high end medical products well into the future. The Irish operations are now viewed as a centre of excellence within the global Isotron Group."
Mr Brian McEvoy, General Manager, Isotron Ireland said that, "The provision of electron beam provides our clients with a sterilisation platform for next generation medical products. This technology will bring a new focus to the R&D activities of Isotron Ireland which will ultimately deliver real benefit to our customers."
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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