Fifty jobs are to result from the opening of a medical devices manufacturing operation in Athlone, Co Westmeath, by US medical devices manufacturer American Medical Systems Holdings (AMS).
American Medical Systems Holdings is to invest €4.6m in the operation, with backing from IDA Ireland.
The new facility will be a key manufacturing facility for AMS mesh products used in the treatment of female continence products and pelvic floor repair, while also manufacturing some male continence products.
The Irish operation will have full responsibility for all stages in the manufacturing of these products, including sourcing and procuring raw materials, production planning and manufacturing, quality control, sterilisation, final packaging and shipping to AMS distribution centres in Belgium and the United States.
“This is the first manufacturing operation AMS has established outside of the United States, and it is of significant strategic importance as the company grows its international presence,” said Thomas Rasmussen, vice-president of Global Operations and Supply Chain, of AMS.
“The decision to locate in Athlone was strongly based on the cluster of leading life sciences companies located here and the opportunity to partner with such companies in the processes carried out by AMS. I would like to thank the IDA for their support in setting this up and look forward to building on the AMS/IDA relationship as we grow our Irish operations.”
IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary welcomed the announcement.
“This is an excellent addition to the midlands medical technology cluster and will have a beneficial impact on direct and indirect employment in the region,” O’Leary said.
