Abbott turned the sod on the site of its new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, which will be a global manufacturing centre of excellence for Abbott’s life-changing FreeStyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitoring portfolio.
Minister Simon Harris was joined by Jared Watkin, senior vice president of Abbott’s Diabetes Care Business, as they marked the commencement of construction of the 30,000 sqm facility, which will employ in the region of 300 people during construction and more than 800 people by the time manufacturing starts in 2024.
Roles in engineering, quality control and medical device manufacturing
Recruitment for permanent positions is underway and almost 50 employees have already started working in Kilkenny. The roles will be in engineering, quality control, medical device manufacturing and other science-based areas.
The company is actively recruiting and anyone wishing to learn more about the opportunities available or register their interest in working with Abbott, can visit https://www.abbott.com/careers
Minister Simon Harris said: “With a footprint in all four provinces, Abbott has played a leading role over the past 77 years in establishing Ireland as a location for the global medtech sector.
"This new investment in Kilkenny will add to the high value STEM jobs already created in the southeast region by Abbott at its vascular manufacturing facility in Clonmel. This is an important investment for Ireland, and I am delighted to congratulate Abbott on this new diabetes care manufacturing facility in Kilkenny.”
Jared Watkin said: “Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system in the world, having changed the lives of 4.5 million people across more than 60 countries by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable. This new facility, together with our diabetes care facility in Donegal, will help us meet the growing demand and bring new highly skilled jobs to the community.”
Investing €440m
Abbott announced in August last year that it is investing €440m in significantly expanding manufacturing operations for its Diabetes Care business in Ireland. In addition to the new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, the company announced the expansion of operations at its existing facility in Donegal.
The building of Abbott’s new facility in Kilkenny is supported by the government through IDA Ireland. Mary Buckley, interim CEO said: “I am delighted to join Abbott in Kilkenny today at the sod-turning ceremony for its new diabetes care manufacturing plant, which will create c.800 high value jobs many of which are in STEM.
"This investment, announced last year, is a further testament to the deep roots the company has in Ireland. IDA Ireland’s strategy to win investments and jobs in regional locations includes encouraging and supporting established companies to develop additional regional sites and this is a prime example. This new manufacturing facility will deliver a substantial boost to the economy of the southeast.”
Abbott was one of the first multinational companies to establish in Ireland and is the only one with operations in all four provinces. This new investment will bring Abbott’s total employment in the country to about 6,000 people across 10 sites, including seven manufacturing operations.