Tánaiste announces major expansion of Cook Medical in Limerick with 200 new jobs and €25 million investment

Irish Facility to be the sole global manufacturing site for new stent product

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan TD today (Tuesday 30^th September 2008) announced that Cook Medical, one of the world’s largest privately held medical device companies, is to invest €25 million, with the support of Government through IDA Ireland, in the expansion of its medical devices manufacturing and services facility - Cook Ireland Limited - in Limerick. The investment will add 200 high quality jobs over the next five years. It will also establish the Limerick operation as the sole global manufacturing site for Cook’s new drug eluting stent, Zilver PTX, for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. This is the first time such a stent will be manufactured in Ireland.

Cook Ireland Limited established in the National Technology Park, Limerick, in 1996 where it currently employs 480 people in the production of devices for a range of medical areas including urology, gastroenterology, women’s health and surgery. A number of European management roles are housed at the facility and the diverse range of manufacturing and services activities performed there include customer services, sales support, marketing, production, regulatory, distribution and R&D.

The Tánaiste, welcoming the investment, said “Today’s news is another fantastic development for the thriving medical technology industry in Ireland. This is the 10^th significant investment by a multinational company from the medical technologies sector in Ireland since the beginning of this year.”

“It is superb news for the staff and management of Cook Ireland. The Irish facility has secured the manufacturing investment for a leading-edge product and will result in 200 new jobs in the company. Cook is a great company and its medical device products are at the forefront of technology. Since establishing in Limerick in 1996, the operation has seen continuous development well beyond its original mandate and this investment will add further strategic value and importance to the facility. The company has also undertaken collaborative R&D with University of Limerick and Dublin Institute of Technology, an area in which this Government is fully supportive’” the Tánaiste concluded.

Bill Doherty, Vice President of Cook’s European business said “The Limerick facility’s successful track-record in implementing and delivering a variety of projects over the past 12 years was a significant factor in Cook’s decision to undertake this strategic investment at the site. As the investment forms part of our company’s future international growth plans, it is essential that we have confidence in the ability of the chosen location to deliver to the strict deadlines and exacting quality standards required. We have that confidence in the Limerick team. In addition, our experience in Limerick demonstrates Ireland’s ability to provide the right people - highly skilled and adaptable which are needed for the next phase of our development.”

ENDS/ETE1944

Notes for Editors:

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