Minister Martin announcesVistakon to invest over €100 million in its Limerick Manufacturing Facility

IDA supported project will create 124 jobs over next 2 years

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today (Wednesday 15 March 2006) announced that Vistakon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is to invest over €100 million in its manufacturing facility in Limerick.

Minister Martin, visiting the company today, said “I am delighted that Vistakon has achieved such success in Limerick and is now in a position to further develop the business, having exceeded its job targets and invested twice the original amount anticipated. Today’s development will maintain the Limerick operation in a strong competitive position by producing next generation products in the high value range for a growing market and is strategically very important for its role within the Johnson & Johnson Corporation. The Limerick operation faced tough competition for this investment and the management and workforce here are to be congratulated for securing it.”

Supported by IDA Ireland, the investment represents significant development and innovation at the facility resulting in the installation of new technology and the manufacture of more complex next generation products in the high value range. It will create 124 new jobs over two years in manufacturing, quality and engineering and recruitment is underway.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Vistakon designs, manufactures and markets the ACUVUE® range of soft disposable contact lenses, the world’s number one brand.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, (Ireland) Limited, trading as Vistakon Ireland, was established in Limerick in 1996 and exports to markets worldwide. The company currently employs over 500 people at its state-of-the-art facility in the National Technological Park, adjacent to the University of Limerick. The majority of the workforce has a third level qualification. Vistakon Ireland is one of seven Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland, employing a total of 2,000 people.

Jim Canny, Vice President – Global Supply Chain, Vistakon, said “This development is part of Vistakon’s aggressive growth strategy to capitalise on the global contact lens market’s huge potential. Limerick was chosen for this investment because of its track record in achieving targets and its success with a number of the company’s product development initiatives. We continue to work closely with IDA Ireland in our ongoing growth and development.”