by Hollie Hastings | Mar 8, 2018 | biopharma, Career, Industry, Irish Market, Jobs in Ireland, Medical Technology, Science, Medical and Pharma
The attractiveness of the Midwest as a region to set up a world class manufacturing operation and source top talent across a range of roles was further endorsed this week with the announcement from Edwards Lifesciences to set up a European manufacturing site in Shannon with the creation of 60 jobs initially and further ramping up to 600 employees by 2020. Director of Collins McNicholas, Michelle Murphy, commented, “This is indeed a truly exciting announcement for the region and for the country overall as it puts Ireland firmly on the world stage in attracting foreign direct investment so when a global leader in patient-focused innovations announces such an investment in the country, and in particular in the Midwestern region, we have a lot to be proud about. This comes just weeks after the announcement by Jaguar Land Rover that they too are investing in the region to create a development centre to be based in Shannon and construction is very much underway at present.” Collins McNicholas’ team in Limerick are delighted to partner with Edwards Lifesciences on this exciting new development and are looking forward to working closely with them as they grow their presence in Ireland. For information on opportunities and vacancies please contact one of our specialist recruitment consultants on 061 512278 or follow the link below. Apply Now March 5, 2018 – Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, today announced that the company, headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, has chosen the Mid-West of Ireland for the location of a new plant to manufacture delivery components for its transcatheter heart valve therapies. This new addition to Edwards’ global supply network, which includes a similar existing facility in the United States, will initially be configured to support the manufacturing of therapies that enable minimally invasive procedures on patients’ aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves, where open heart surgery would previously have been the norm. “Today is a wonderful day as we mark this very significant regional investment. The arrival of Edwards Lifesciences is a vote of confidence in the Mid-West region as a destination for high-end medical technology manufacturers,” said Minister Heather Humphreys. “It will provide even more opportunities for local residents and communities to grow and thrive. My department, through the IDA, is committed to supporting Edwards as it establishes operations in Ireland and as the company continues to develop its innovative heart valve technologies.” Added Pat Breen, Minister of State and TD for Clare, “On behalf of everyone in the Mid-West, I would like warmly welcome Edwards Lifesciences to the region. Their presence here serves to highlight the attractiveness of the region as a destination for progressive, innovation-driven companies. I would like to wish Edwards well in their future operations and assure them of our ongoing support.” Edwards is planning to hire approximately 60 people this year in various functions, such as production staff, engineering and professional management, to work at its initial site located in the Shannon Free Zone. The company plans to complete a new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in the Mid-West of Ireland in 2020. Once the facility is fully operational, the company expects it will employ approximately 600 people. Edwards’ investment in the project is expected to amount to approximately €80 million. “The addition of a manufacturing location in Ireland is an element of Edwards’ global supply strategy to support future growth and reliability of supply, and continues the growth in employment Edwards has experienced both in the United States and around the world,” said Joe Nuzzolese, Edwards’ corporate vice president, global supply chain. “Choosing this location included many considerations, but an important one is a talented workforce with experience in medical technology. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community through engagement and philanthropic support, and providing educational and professional opportunities for our employees. We are excited to welcome these new associates into Edwards, with the shared goal of serving more patients around the world by delivering high quality life-saving technologies.” The company expects to begin hiring new employees in Shannon by June. People interested in applying for a position can find out more information and submit applications at www.edwards.com/irelandjobs. “This announcement by Edwards Lifesciences that it is establishing a new manufacturing facility in the Mid-West is terrific news for the region and for Ireland,” said Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland. “The company’s arrival further enhances Ireland’s reputation as a preferred location for leading companies in the lifesciences sector. Winning investment for regional locations is a key focus for IDA Ireland and this project is an excellent one to secure for this region.” This project is supported by the government through IDA Ireland. About Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences, based in Irvine, Calif., is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company collaborates with the world’s leading clinicians and researchers to address unmet healthcare needs, working to improve patient outcomes and enhance lives. Apply...Read More
by Niall Murray | May 24, 2016 | Career, Career and Interview Advice, Engineering and Technical, Jobseeking, Medical Technology
The medical technology industry affords great opportunities for qualified professionals across a broad range of disciplines. Engineering We have seen a strong demand nationally for a range of engineering professionals; process engineers, lean six sigma engineers, quality engineers, validation engineers, manufacturing engineers, NPD engineers, automation engineers, process design engineers, and polymer engineers are all sought after. Salaries in this sector have been relatively stable over the last 12 months, with a small number of pay increases in certain niche areas. Demand for engineers will remain strong over the next few years. This steady demand for engineering skills will lead to certain pressure points in supply as the industry continues to grow, but the output of new engineers, the dispersed nature of the existing engineering talent, and the experience the Institutes of Technology have in servicing the demands of medical device multinationals, will ensure there is no critical shortage of engineering skills in the industry. Science Alongside these engineering skills there is an increased demand for biotechnology and pharmaceutical related skills. Personnel with qualifications in the biological sciences, chemistry and pharmacology are becoming more important as well. The convergence of different technologies with medical device products means that there is a demand for expertise in the areas of nanotechnology, software, ICT, maths, statistics, informatics and bioprocessing, and material science. There has been an increase in the pace of automation as the industry in Ireland shifts towards the production of more high value products. This requires greater training for employees in the industry, and places more pressure on 3rd level institutes to produce the necessary volume of graduates. Overall, this will...Read More
by Niall Murray | Apr 18, 2016 | Engineering and Technical, Industry, Medical Technology
This is part 2 of our regional overview of the medical device industry in Ireland. Last week we looked at the West of Ireland, today we look at the South, South East and Midlands regions. South Cork has significant expertise in orthopaedic technologies. Stryker, which manufactures orthopaedic implants, minimally invasive surgical equipment and neurovascular products, is the biggest medical device employer in Cork. Stryker are building a new 44,000 sq. ft. surgical innovation centre in Cork that will conduct research on the surgical issues of bone cutting and soft tissue dissection. Stryker employs 1,200 people across its 3 Irish sites, two of which are located in Cork. DePuy Synthes produces orthopaedic knees and hips from its Cork plant, employing over 600 people. This site also includes a global supply chain operation and an R&D Innovation Centre. Boston Scientific employs approximately 1,100 people in Cork and produces over 5,600 devices, primarily for their Cardiology, Rhythm and Vascular Group, Endoscopy, and Urology & Women’s Health Divisions. ‘ South East Waterford hosts contact lens manufacturer Bausch & Lomb and precision engineering company Schivo. Bausch & Lomb is investing €75 million to increase its manufacturing capacity. Nypro Healthcare announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art facility in Waterford, which will create more than 200 jobs manufacturing complex respiratory and injection devices. Clearstream in Enniscorthy, which was bought by CR Bard, has added 160 roles since 2011 and, after a significant capital investment in its facility, will have the capacity to add 200 more roles in the coming years. Boston Scientific employs over 700 people in Clonmel and manufactures all of their pacemakers and implantable defibrillators...Read More
by Niall Murray | Apr 14, 2016 | Industry, Irish Market, Medical Technology
Medical device companies are dispersed across Ireland. The presence of these companies throughout the country means that there is a steady supply of talent in every region, allowing medical device companies to easily set up a facility anywhere they choose. In part 1 of our regional overview of the medical technology industry in Ireland we take a look at the West of Ireland – encompassing the Midwest, West, and North West regions. West Galway is the most important medtech cluster in the country. It accounts for approximately 31% of all medical device employment. Galway has significant expertise in vascular technologies, which are dominated by Boston Scientific and Medtronic. Boston Scientific is the largest medical device employer in Ireland with a staff of more than 4,500 across 3 sites located in Clonmel, Cork, and Galway. Boston Scientific employs around 3,000 people in Galway. Medtronic has roughly 2,000 staff working at its Galway facility, including over 100 employees working in R&D. Other notable companies in Galway include Merit Medical, Creganna, Crospon, and Zimmer, Aerogen, Creganna (800 staff) Mayo has several large multinational medtech companies with manufacturing operations, including Baxter and Hollister. They produce renal dialysis equipment, and ostomy/continence care products respectively. Hollister has invested €80 million in its Ballina plant, which currently employs over 600 people. North West The North West is home to several large medtech companies. Abbott has a number of facilities in the region including Abbott Diabetes in Donegal, Abbott Diagnostics and Abbott Nutrition in Sligo, and Abbott Medical Optics in Mayo. with Irish owned Arrotek and Inblex Plastics based in Sligo. Multinationals B. Braun, Hospira, Amcor Flexibles, and...Read More
by Niall Murray | Feb 24, 2016 | Industry, Irish Market, Medical Technology
Download the full ‘Medical Technology Industry in Ireland 2016‘ report Ireland’s medical technology sector employs over 27,000 people. It is an important contributor to the Irish economy providing €9.4bn worth of exports annually, creating a large number of well-paid, high-skilled job opportunities. To put Ireland’s success in this sector into context, the European medical technology market is worth roughly €100 billion, and accounts for 31% of the world market. As the 5th largest exporter of medtech products in Europe, Ireland is undoubtedly a major contributor to the global medtech industry. Ireland has developed an excellent reputation as a producer of complex medical technologies. This reputation attracts some of the largest players in the medical technology industry. Ireland currently hosts 18 of the 25 largest medtech companies in the world. Companies such as Abbott, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Baxter, Boston Scientific and Stryker all have major operations in Ireland. But it’s not all FDI led, indigenous companies are also major contributors to the Irish medical device sector. There are over 350 medtech companies in Ireland and 60% of these are indigenous SMEs – Creganna, Trulife, Vistamed, and Steripack are just a few of the indigenous Irish medtech companies exporting their products globally. With all that success comes major investment. In the last 2 years, medical technology companies invested €652 million in Ireland, and Ireland also secured one third of all medtech investment into Europe in 2015. Ireland now develops some of the most sophisticated products in the industry, with particular strengths in high value manufacturing and R&D. R&D is growing in importance in the Irish medtech sector, with half of all...Read More
