Showcase to benefit Irish engineers

OVERSEAS contract wins for Irish engineering firms specialising in the construction of pharmaceutical facilities are expected on the back of a Government-led showcase.

The Enterprise Ireland event, which welcomed 50 European buyers from the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to Dublin, yesterday, showcased the best in Irish pharmaceutical and biotech plant design, construction and engineering.

The importance and potential of the event is real given that in the past two years, Irish companies have secured construction contracts on four facilities in Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium worth a combined value of more than €80 million and that another €160 billion is expected to be invested in plant construction over the next three years.

Speaking at yesterday’s event, Enterprise Ireland chief executive Frank Ryan said: “Ireland is now world renowned in this sector for its sophisticated network of capabilities and expertise in the design and construction of pharmaceutical and biotech plants.

“With this strong track record, these Irish firms are in a strong position to pitch for the multi-billion euro investment in similar plants across Europe and even further afield.

“Irish companies have become world leaders in offering specialist construction and engineering services to these industries.

“These companies are constantly innovating to build ever more efficient and environmentally sustainable facilities all around the world. This is a business model that is hugely scalable and just as importantly — it’s sustainable. The potential for increased exports and job creation is immense if we align Irish firms with the massive opportunity available,” he added.

Yesterday’s event included buyers form the likes of Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis, with many of the visitors having direct responsibility for new production facilities in Europe and further afield. The buyers requested, on average, four meetings with each of the Irish companies present, reflecting the strong global reputation Ireland holds in the area of pharma plant construction.

“Ireland’s thriving pharmaceutical industry means that Irish engineering firms have been to the forefront in the design, construction and engineering of the world’s most technologically advanced facilities, such as Pfizer in Grange Castle and Centocor in Cork,” added Mr Ryan.