Four ‘significant inquiries’ made into former Amgen site

Four companies have shown strong interests in acquiring the former Amgen site in east Cork, which was once earmarked for 1,100 bio-pharmaceutical jobs.

Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton said IDA Ireland had confirmed that four “significant inquires” had recently been made about the site near Carrigtwohill and the authority was actively pursuing these.

In November 2010, US-owned Amgen finally announced it was abandoning plans for an €820m investment in the plant, located on the main Cork-Waterford road.

The announcement followed a major pre-2009 general election political spat. Rumours had been widespread about the project proceeding and the then government had been adamant of a positive outcome.

However, the company had put the project on hold indefinitely, as it was planning to rationalise global operations and reduce staff numbers by up to 14%.

After the 2011 general election, IDA Ireland announced that Amgen would retain the 188-acre, purpose-built site so that, if circumstances were to change, “it might lead to a recommencement of plans”. However, such high hopes for the site never materialised.

Mr Bruton described the current developments as “certainly encouraging” and said the IDA was “continuing to actively market the site to potential investors”.

He said the site, on which millions of euro had been spent during development, remained an attractive location for companies and would minimise start-up costs for the IDA or Enterprise Ireland clients.

In a written reply to a query from Midleton-based Fine Gael TD David Stanton, Mr Bruton said the IDA had informed him it “will continue to actively engage with Cork County Council, utility providers, and other key stakeholders on leveraging the key site’s attributes, positioning the site for investment and enhancing its marketability”.

Securing either an indigenous or foreign direct investment company for the Carrigtwohill site would be a great boost for the east Cork region, Mr Bruton said, “and I have been assured that this is being actively pursued”.

He did not reveal details of the types of companies expressing interest, or if they were Irish or foreign.

Mr Stanton said he was extremely encouraged to hear about the high level of interest on the site.

“I believe the former Amgen site is a top class location for industry, easily accessible by road and rail, and in close proximity to Cork Airport and the Port of Cork,” he said.

“It is extremely encouraging to hear of such considerable interest this year. I am confident that, with sustained marketing and engagement with interested parties, a suitable investor will be secured for this site.

“Getting a major company in there would be a huge boost for area as a whole.”