Medical giant to create 1,000 jobs in Clonmel

A US medical company is to create 1,000 jobs in a new manufacturing facility in Clonmel in Co Tipperary.

Guidant Corporation, a leader in medical technology, is significantly expanding its Irish facility in Clonmel. Guidant currently employs over 1,000 people.

Now the company expects to create 500 new manufacturing jobs over the next three years, with plans to add a further 500 new jobs as the operations develop.

The investment is supported by IDA Ireland and recruitment will commence in 2005.

It will also result in the construction of a new 125,000 sq. ft building at the site.

Guidant designs, develops and manufactures minimally invasive products for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said the investment represents an "important endorsement of Ireland’s on-going ability to attract large scale, technology driven projects".

"Securing this project for Ireland demonstrates yet again the country’s continuing competitiveness and sends a very positive signal to other international companies that Ireland is a leading location for such investment," said the Tánaiste.

When fully completed this development will mean that Guidant will double its local spending in the Irish economy from its current level of over €80m per annum.

Guidant's Clonmel facility currently employs over 1,000 people. It was established with IDA support in 1998.

Ger Cronin, Vice-President and Managing Director of Guidant in Clonmel said “the availability of the facilities, the excellent site and the support of IDA Ireland and the people of Clonmel have been critical to our success”.

Mary Buckley, IDA area director for the South region said that Guidant as one of the top 10 medical technology companies in the world is an important investor in the region.

Guidant Corporation, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, employs over 12,000 people at 15 locations worldwide.

Guidant markets its products in almost 100 countries and its revenue for 2003 was $3.7bn (€3.05bn), with a net profit of $330m (€272m).