1,500 WOKERS BACK AT WUXI
WUXI Biologics have resumed work on their new campus at Mullaharlin following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Up to 1,500 workers are now back on site to advance construction of the huge development just south of Dundalk, which has been dubbed a ‘factory of the future.’
The facility will create up to 600 highly skilled jobs once completed.
The Chinese biopharma firm were given the go ahead in the last week for a series of amendments, after announcing in February plans to create a further 200 jobs at its €216 million facility to develop vaccines.
The company submitted a renewed planning application to Louth County Council in early March for the ‘revision and reconfiguration of the existing Planning Permission necessitated by a strategic, phased approach to construction of the permitted development envelope.’
Brendan McGrath Ireland Site Head and VP Manufacturing told the Argus: ‘WuXi Biologics, has welcomed confirmation by Louth County Council of approval intent for amendments to a 200 Jobs WuXi Vaccines facility on the WuXi Campus at Mullagharlin on the outskirts of Dundalk.’
He explained the facility was granted planning approval last December.
‘A further planning application was submitted in March seeking approval for amendments including a reduction in the size of the facility from 15,275sqm to 10,275sqm.’
He added: ‘ The Wuxi Vaccines development when it becomes operational in 2024 will bring the workforce on the WuXi Campus to 600 people.’
‘ The development of the WuXi Campus is going well, the return to work on site after the Covid-19 lock-down has been well-planned and well-managed involving some 1,500 construction
workers and the good weather has been significantly helpful’, said Mr McGrath.
Meanwhile, recruitment for the new facility is continuing at apace, with thousands of people having turned up for information events at the beginning
of the year.
WuXi have initially been looking at filling posts in three key areas: manufacturing, engineering and quality.
The company said they are aiming to continually develop links with Dundalk
Institute of Technology, with DkIT graduates one of the sectors the company are hoping to appeal to as WuXi operations grow.
For information on recruitment, log on to www.wuxibiologics.com/career