Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has selected the Mid-West of Ireland as the location of a new plant to manufacture delivery components for its transcatheter heart valve therapies. This new addition to Edwards’ global supply network, which includes a similar existing facility in the United States, will initially be configured to support the manufacturing of therapies that enable minimally invasive procedures on patients’ aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves, where open heart surgery would previously have been the norm.
Edwards plans to hire approximately 60 people this year in various functions to work at its initial site located in the Shannon Free Zone. The company plans to complete a new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in the Mid-West of Ireland in 2020. Once the facility is fully operational, the company expects it will employ approximately 600 people. Edwards’ investment in the project is expected to amount to approximately $98.6 million.
“The addition of a manufacturing location in Ireland is an element of Edwards’ global supply strategy to support future growth and reliability of supply, and continues the growth in employment Edwards has experienced both in the United States and around the world,” said Joe Nuzzolese, Edwards’ corporate vice president, global supply chain. “Choosing this location included many considerations, but an important one is a talented workforce with experience in medical technology. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community through engagement and philanthropic support, and providing educational and professional opportunities for our employees. We are excited to welcome these new associates into Edwards, with the shared goal of serving more patients around the world by delivering high quality life-saving technologies.”
This project is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.
“Today is a wonderful day as we mark this very significant regional investment. The arrival of Edwards Lifesciences is a vote of confidence in the Mid-West region as a destination for high-end medical technology manufacturers,” said Minister Heather Humphreys. “It will provide even more opportunities for local residents and communities to grow and thrive. My department, through the IDA, is committed to supporting Edwards as it establishes operations in Ireland and as the company continues to develop its innovative heart valve technologies.”
“This announcement by Edwards Lifesciences that it is establishing a new manufacturing facility in the Mid-West is terrific news for the region and for Ireland,” said Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland. “The company’s arrival further enhances Ireland’s reputation as a preferred location for leading companies in the lifesciences sector. Winning investment for regional locations is a key focus for IDA Ireland and this project is an excellent one to secure for this region.”
