There was good news on the jobs front this week with the announcement that 100 new jobs will be created in Newcastle West by a leading biomaterial and polymer technology company, Ortec Inc.
The company, which has headquarters in South Carolina, announced that it will establish its European headquarters, manufacturing and operations centre in the town, creating up to 110 skilled engineering and science jobs over the coming years. The company will begin its manufacturing operation in a 13,000 square-foot leased building at Newcastle West Business Park. The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, through IDA Ireland.
Founded in 1980, Ortec manufactures custom materials which are used in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and other health-related industries.
It plans to double capacity at the facility in the coming months subject to planning permission.
“This is our first invest-ment outside the US, and we are pleased to be doing it in Ireland. It is a strat-egic part of our global expansion. Bringing the project to this stage has required a great deal of collaboration. We have received tremendous support from IDA Ireland, Limerick City and County Council, Shannon Properties, and a multitude of local professional advisors,” said Christopher Brotherton, Senior Vice President with Ortec.
Local TD and Minister for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the news, saying it was a once in a lifetime event for Newcastle West. “This is a fantastic endorsement of the promoters of this project and our comm-unity, and we all look forward to working successfully with the company for many years to come. Today’s announcement is a great boost for Newcastle West and the surrounding areas and is evidence of what is possible for manufacturing companies in regional locations,” he said.
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins said, “This is fantastic news and shows that Limerick can be a leading choice for companies looking for a high-quality workforce,” but added that, “We cannot get complacent. A jobs announcement like today’s should become the norm for the people of Limerick.”