Fort Wayne Metals, a company that develops wiring and components for medical devices, has announced it is to expand its production facility in Castlebar, Co Mayo, with the creation of 40 jobs.
Founded in 1971, Fort Wayne Metals has been based in Castlebar for 14 years. It currently has 80 staff members, who manufacture products for medical device companies in Ireland, Europe and Asia.
Fort Wayne’s manufactured components include guide wires, stents, embolic filters, pacemaker leads, neurostimulation leads, and endoscopy and orthopaedic devices.
Following a €10m investment in the US company, it has announced it will expand its production capabilities in Mayo, with the opening of a new 20,000 sq ft facility within a year’s time.
This means that 40 additional staff will be hired by Fort Wayne Metals over the next five years.
In citing the company’s decision to expand here, CEO and chairperson Scott Glaze commended the availability of highly skilled staff, and the support and guidance given by IDA Ireland and the Irish Medical Device Association (IMDA).
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD – a Castlebar native himself – also welcomed the news as a boost for the region.
A boom for the region
“Fort Wayne Metals has been an important employer in Castlebar from when they first opened their doors in 2002,” he said.
“It is a real success story, having started with a small number of employees, and [they] have since increased their employee numbers over tenfold to 80 employees at present.”
IDA Ireland’s CEO Martin Shanahan added: “It is great to see Fort Wayne Metals expand its operations in Castlebar in this way.
“A key focus for IDA is supporting existing companies to transform and expand, growing jobs. The company has credited the dedication and commitment of its highly skilled staff with making its Castlebar operation the success it is. That is a great endorsement, and one that gives confidence in Castlebar and the region as a great location for other similar type medical device business.”
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