Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, announced that the company, headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, plans to increase its investment in Ireland by more than €80 million with the construction of a new and larger medical technology plant in Castletroy, Limerick.
This takes Edwards’ initial investment in the project of €80 million to more than €160 million.
Today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with Edwards’ company leaders, will break ground on this new facility, which is intended to support Edwards’ global supply network for heart valve therapies.
Edwards plans to open the new purpose-built facility in Castletroy, Limerick in 2021 and, once fully operational, it is expected to employ approximately 600 people, as previously announced. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on manufacturing sophisticated medical technologies, such as delivery systems and other components for Edwards’ market-leading therapies for structural heart disease.
“The development of the Limerick City region is a major part of Project Ireland 2040. We are planning for the city to grow by 50 percent over the next two decades through enhanced regional accessibility, improved international connectivity and a competitive, educated workforce. The fact that Edwards Lifesciences has chosen Limerick for this new permanent facility is a very positive endorsement of the region as a great place in which to live, work and invest,” said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. “Lifesaving, cutting-edge technologies will be produced here, resulting in the creation of 600 highly skilled jobs. I wish the company and their new workforce the very best as they embark on this exciting new project.”
Edwards established operations in Ireland in 2018, and employs 50 people at a facility in the Shannon Freezone. The additional investment around its new facility includes the purchase of additional land, the construction of a larger facility to allow for possible future expansion and the integration of upgraded technology.
“We are proud to break ground today on a modern, state-of-the-art facility in Ireland that will serve as an important addition to our global supply chain to enable global delivery of our high-quality, life-saving heart valve therapies,” said Michael Mussallem, Edwards’ chairman and CEO. “Since we established operations in Ireland last year, we have appreciation for the excellent business environment to help develop our operations. We are also proud that we have had the opportunity to begin to engage in local community activities and initiate educational and professional opportunities for our employees. We are confident that the addition of our talented and experienced team in Ireland to our growing workforce in the US and around the world will provide valuable support to our shared goal of serving more patients in need.”