The international firms shortlisted for the Cork Chamber Company of the Year Awards
Kevin O'Donovan Senior Vice President Europe and Managing Director of UK and Ireland, Statkraft.
Marking 20 years in Cork this year, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (J&J IM) is a biopharmaceutical site with more than 1,200 employees, producing medicines mainly for immunology and oncology patients.
Over the past two decades, the company has invested €750m in developing its manufacturing capabilities in Ringaskiddy, with a €150m expansion set to boost capacity further by the end of this year.
The firm is a World Economic Forum Global Lighthouse, which recognises it as one of the world’s most advanced manufacturers.
In 2009, the facility started the production of two commercial products that treat immune-related conditions: Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
In 2023, six additional commercial products make up the site’s portfolio, directly impacting the lives of patients living with Crohn’s disease, multiple myeloma, and small-cell lung cancer. In addition, the site has manufactured over 40 different clinical phase products that support J&J’s clinical trials and clinical development.
In 2023, J&J IM received FDA approval for its eighth commercial product and in addition to the current expansion of its large-scale manufacturing suite, it completed construction of a bi-specific and tri-specific manufacturing suite in late 2022. These novel products attack multiple targets and engage the body’s own mechanisms to fight disease. This is the only dedicated bispecific production suite in the global J&J network, and it will accelerate the delivery of these products which address an unmet medical need in the oncology field.
Dana Daneshvari, general manager at J&J IM, said that being selected as a finalist in Cork Chamber’s International Company of the Year for the second year in a row is particularly special as the company celebrates 20 years in Ringaskiddy.
Mr Daneshvari, left, said: “We take great pride in our role in the vibrant Cork business community, which has provided a fantastic platform for our two decades of growth.
“I am so proud of our dedicated team. Their resilience, skill, and passion have transformed our site into a hub of true excellence and innovation, all while keeping our mission of delivering for our patients at the heart of everything we do.”
J&J IM also aims to lead in sustainability by setting new industry standard
s and embedding a culture of sustainability into their site and communities.
Its site includes a large wind turbine which has cut the site’s energy costs by 30%. It also operates a carbon-neutral lab building, and a full decarbonisation roadmap is in place. As part of its commitment to the wider community, J&J IM began a Charity Partner of the Year programme in 2021, which invites employees to nominate a charity of their choice. Charities they have worked with and raised funds for include O’Connell Court, Good Shepherd Cork and the Crann Centre.
NetApp IHQ Ireland is the international headquarters of NetApp, a leader in intelligence data infrastructure.
Based in Navigation Square on Albert Quay, the company provides data management and cloud solutions to organisations worldwide.
Its services include comprehensive data management solutions helping companies and organisations efficiently store, protect, and analyse their data. It also offers cloud solutions including storage, backup, and data analytics.
NetApp also leverages AI and machine learning to help firms extract valuable information from their data.
Over the past three years, the company has grown rapidly in Cork from an initial seven employees to almost 300 today.
NetApp IHQ Ireland has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation in that period, driving advancements in its business to stay at the forefront of the technology industry. These innovations include the introduction of advanced features and capabilities to enhance data storage, protection, and governance; enhancing cloud-native offerings specifically designed for hybrid and multi-cloud environments; developing AI-powered data analytics tools; and providing immutable ransomware protection for applications. NetApp guarantees the recovery of data in the event of a ransomware attack. If recovery is not possible, it offers compensation.
The company has also fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging employees to innovate and contribute to the company’s growth. It has implemented internal programs and initiatives that promote ideation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Customer satisfaction remains a priority for the company. It conducts regular customer satisfaction surveys to gather feedback on products and track customer satisfaction through its customer support and service interactions.
Its sustainability initiatives include the achievement of Leed platinum status in 2022 for its Cork office fit-out.
This was the first Leed platinum certificate for a fit-out outside of Dublin and the fourth in Ireland.
Under senior director James McGowan, the firm prioritises wellbeing among staff and the wider community. These programs include initiatives such as mental health support, stress management workshops, wellness challenges, and access to fitness programs.
NetApp IHQ Ireland has plans for expansion. The firm aims to increase its workforce at the headquarters in Cork from 300 to 500 employees, further enriching the local talent pool and contributing to the region’s economic growth. It aims to leverage emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and hybrid cloud solutions to drive digital transformation and provide customers with advanced capabilities.
Statkraft Ireland is a subsidiary of Europe’s largest renewable energy generator, the Norwegian state-owned company with more than 6,000 employees across 20 countries.
It entered the Irish market in 2018 and operates from its HQ in Cork. The company has already invested €1bn in Ireland, and is on track to develop 3GW of clean energy by 2030. In its six years in Cork, it has tripled its workforce to 140 people and tripled its development portfolio under senior vice president for Europe Kevin O’Donovan.
In Ireland, Statkraft develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the technologies of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, battery storage, and grid services. It has a 4GW pipeline of offshore and onshore wind, solar, and grid services projects. It is also working on exciting opportunities such as green hydrogen in an attempt to tackle hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as long-haul transport and steel production.
The roadmap to 3GW includes 1.5GW of projects that have recently been built or are already in construction.
Last June, it submitted a planning application for Nisa, its proposed offshore windfarm off the North-East coast that will have the capacity to power 500,000 Irish homes and businesses.
The 500MW project became the first offshore windfarm in Ireland that had secured a route to market to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála.
If permission is granted, it will contribute enormously to the Government’s target to generate 80% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Over the past year, it has completed work on Ireland’s biggest solar farm, the 200MW Ballymacarney project, and the South Meath Solar (80.5MW) and Harlockstown Solar (42MW) projects in Co Meath.
It is finishing construction on the 32MW Monaraha Solar Project in Co Tipperary, while work is underway on its 176MW Clonfad solar farm in Co Westmeath.
This diversification into utility-scale solar has led to significant shifts in how the country is powered. In 2022, Statkraft Ireland was certified as a Great Place to Work, and staff have received numerous awards.
Workplace initiatives include marking World Mental Health Day and participating in events such as Darkness into Light, and the company has a team of trained mental health first aiders.
Statkraft’s future strategy is underpinned by last year’s announcement for 3GW of renewable energy projects by 2030. This includes onshore wind, solar, battery, and grid services projects as well as its commitment to deliver Nisa.
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