Medtronic is further expanding its presence in Galway with a $30m investment that will see it grow its workforce in the city by 200.
The healthcare technology company is to establish a new global laboratory services team and up its investment in new product development in the city.
The new roles will be in the area of research and development and recruitment has already begun with just over half the jobs filled.
The announcement comes as the company marks 40 years in Ireland.
“The 40-year anniversary is an important milestone to celebrate in Medtronic’s Irish story,” Gerard Kilcommins, Vice President, Global Manufacturing, Vascular Therapies & Implants and Country Director, Campus Ireland at Medtronic.
“Our sites in Ireland have played a significant role in Medtronic’s evolution from medical device manufacturer to a global leader in healthcare technology.”
“These roles will support the development of products and services in the coronary artery, heart valve and peripheral vascular disease, heart arrhythmia and pacing, hypertension and spinal injury areas.”
“There will also be roles in the Chemical Analysis and Biocompatibility fields supporting a new Global Laboratory Services team.”
Medtronic already employs 4,000 people in this country, making it one of the larger multinational businesses operating here.
As well as manufacturing in Ireland the company also has new product development, sustaining and process engineering, customer innovation and global shared services operations here.
Its corporate headquarters is also located in Dublin.
The news was welcomed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, who is Galway to mark the anniversary.
“Medtronic came to Ireland in 1982 with plans to manufacture a small number of cardiovascular devices,” he said.
“Forty years later, the company now employs more than 4,000 people across five sites in Galway, Athlone and Dublin and with a further 200 new jobs announced, today for Galway, just over 50% of which are already filled.”
“That is remarkable growth.”
The investment has been welcomed by IDA Ireland, which supports the company’s operations here.
“Today’s celebrations are an opportunity to look back and acknowledge the substantial impact that Medtronic has made through its presence in Galway, Athlone and Dublin but to equally look forward with promise at the vote of confidence the company has taken by investing and growing the New Product Development team and other services in Ireland,” said IDA Head of Life Sciences Michael Lohan.
“Medtronic’s role in nurturing and developing talent in science and engineering over four decades is something IDA Ireland deeply values and we are proud to support the growth in the company’s Irish R&D activity.”
Article Source: 200 new R&D jobs for Medtronic in Galway – Will Goodbody – RTE