Plans for 1,000 jobs ‘not affected by takeover’

MAJOR expansion plans leading to the creation of an additional 1,000 jobs at Guidant Corporation’s Tipperary plant will not be affected by the $25.4 billion takeover of the worldwide company last week, the company said yesterday.

Johnson & Johnson, the global leader in the manufacture of health care products, acquired Guidant Corporation after months of highly secretive negotiations, and confirmation of the acquisition was quickly conveyed to the existing 1,000 strong workforce at the Guidant plant in Clonmel.

The workers were obviously concerned that the takeover would impact negatively on the company’s plans to expand over the next three years with the support of the IDA. All the speculation however was ended yesterday with an assurance from Guidant’s Human Resources manager, Emmet Kelly, who told the workers the expansion plans remain firmly on track.