€34m Almac expansion is a ‘vote of confidence’ in Dundalk area
THE Almac Group has announced a €34million investment to its operations in Dundalk following the successful completion of Health Products Regulatory Authority inspections.
This will see the company trebling the size of its European campus which will be officially licensed to conduct Qualfied Persons batch certification and release for both clinical trial material and commercial drug product.
The Craigavon based company set up its European headquarters in Dundalk last January part of its ongoing global expansion strategy, to meet client demand and to address any potential challenges that may arise due to Brexit.
And even through the Dundalk plant isn’t scheduled to begin operations until next January, last week’s announcement means that it will get a new quality control laboratory and packaging facility for commercial drug products and a dedicated 79,000 ft sq EU Distribution Centre for clinical trial supply, trebling the size of the campus.
‘Achieving these successful HPRA inspections is a key milestone,’ said Alan Armstrong, CEO and Chairman of the Almac Group. He emphasised the importance of the Dundalk facility in the company’s strategy for providing service to its European clients in light of any uncertainly which Brexit may cause.
‘ This decision by Almac is a great vote of confidence in Dundalk, especially coming so soon after their initial decision to develop an operation in the area,’ said Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD. She noted that ‘It further strengthens Ireland’s Life Sciences capability in the North East and builds on a series of new IDA projects announced for Dundalk and elsewhere in Co Louth over recent times.’
Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said ‘ This further investment in Almac’s European Campus in Dundalk is a very positive development for the company and the North East region. The Irish facility plays a strategically important role within Almac’s global footprint.’
The announcement was welcomed by local politicians, with Deputy Fergus O’Dowd saying ‘I am delighted that the Almac group recognise the importance of Louth in the post-Brexit space.
‘We must be alive to all the possibilities as well as the perils that Brexit will create. The announcement demonstrates that savvy businesses are looking at Louth at a great place to do their business.
Deputy Gerry Adams noted that Brexit had forced Almac to move some of its operations to this side of the border and described the company’s decision to expand its operation in Dundalk as ‘a significant boost for the north Louth region and for jobs.’