Multinational Ortec, a life sciences company headquartered in the United States, officially opened its fully operat- ional Irish facility at Newcastle West this Wednesday morning.
Its €20 million investment in the West Limerick capital town has created over 100 jobs.
Founded in 1980 by Larry Brotherton in South Carolina, Ortec is still owned and run by the Brotherton family, with Larry as its Chief Executive.
The company currently has three facilities in South Carolina, providing contract formulation and manufacturing services to clients in the pharma-ceutical, biopharma-ceutical and medical device sectors.
Ortec’s new Irish base in Newcastle West is its first outside of the US, housing the company’s European headquarters, manu-facturing and operations centre.
“The official opening of US multinational Ortec in Newcastle West is a fantastic occasion for the town and the wider West Limerick area and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the economy of the town,” said local TD and Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan. “Some may have doubted that this day would happen, but it has and having worked closely with the project right from the very start of it, I am thrilled we have arrived at this occasion,”
He added: “I want to also welcome the Brotherton family to our local area. I want to thank them most sincerely for choosing Newcastle West as their base and for the enormous investment that they are making.”
Said Minister of State Niall Collins: “That Ortec chose Limerick, and in particular Newcastle West, is a major endorse- ment of what we have to offer here in our county. I salute the Brotherton family, and wish them, and their workforce, nothing but the best of luck in their Newcastle West facility.”
The comments of both Ministers were echoed by Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue, who said Ortec’s job creation in the town was “hugely appreciated.”
The site sits on 20-plus acres, giving the company ample room for future expansion.
Total investment in the site is expected to be in the region of €25 million over the next few years, and Ortec hopes to employ up to 130 people in Newcastle West once all phases of this planned investment are complete.