BD, the global medical technology company, has announced the creation of 85 jobs for the Limerick region. The announcement was made as Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection Pat Breen TD officially opened BD’s Research Centre Ireland in Limerick’s National Technology Park.
Total number of employees across BD’s two Limerick sites will be 285
The €21 million investment in BD’s new centre of excellence has already seen 100 jobs recruited for the facility in 2017 and early 2018. The announcement of these 85 additional positions will bring the total number of employees across BD’s two Limerick sites to 285.
BD was founded in 1897 and has had a presence in Ireland since 1964. The company provides solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management and infection prevention and support the management of diabetes.
BD’s Research Centre Ireland is focused on product and software development, clinical research instrumentation and prototype development, expanding the existing community of Life Sciences companies in the region.
Variety of highly skilled positions to include software, hardware and systems engineering, scientists, and technical management
The 85 new roles are for a variety of highly skilled positions such as software, hardware and systems engineering, scientists, and technical management, with the majority being brought on-stream by the end of this year.
Dennis Gilbert, senior vice-president for R&D at BD, said that the new roles were critical to BD’s long-term global growth plan, and "marks a new era for BD and the life sciences community in Ireland". He said: "This new centre has been established to serve as a global R&D hub for our businesses and is key to our long-term strategic growth plans.
"BD’s decision to open our global research centre here in Limerick is based on the region’s highly skilled talent, our strong relationships with local universities and Limerick’s stellar reputation as an important life sciences hub.
"Announcing 85 additional new jobs today further strengthens our commitment to investing in Ireland, and we will be able to further accelerate our recruitment efforts here to continue to build on our expertise and capabilities.”
Vote of confidence in midwest as a destination for high-end medical technology companies
Minister Breen said: “This announcement by BD is a vote of confidence in the midwest region as a destination for high-end medical technology companies. It will provide excellent employment opportunities and contribute greatly to the local economy of the region. I would like to wish BD continued success and assure them of our ongoing support.”
Mary Buckley, executive director, IDA, said: “This significant investment by BD in its new R&D Centre of Excellence in Limerick today is a very welcome addition to the life sciences sector in the midwest region. Winning investment for regional locations is a key focus for IDA Ireland and this project is an excellent one to secure for this region.”
BD has invested significantly in Irish jobs and the Irish economy over the last 50 years since it established its first manufacturing site in Drogheda. BD currently employs more than 1,300 employees in Ireland, across Drogheda, Dun Laoghaire and its two sites in Limerick.
The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland.