The biomaterial and polymer technology company Ortec Inc., met with Executive members of Limerick County Council and members of Newcastle West Municipal District on Thursday of last week to advise on the progress of the project.
On September 13, 2016, Ortec announced its plan to establish a European Headquarters, Manufacturing and Operations Centre in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, creating up to 110 skilled engineering and science jobs in the region over the next several years once the plant is operational.
Ortec has leased a 13,000 sq.ft. building at Newcastle West Business Park and plans to double the footprint of the facility to 26,000 sq.ft.
The start of the project has taken additional time due to the complexity of the property element and revised site requirements. Once these details are resolved the family-owned company will finalise a revised construction timeline, costings for the project, and technical details for the building and site.
The company has confirmed that it is committed to this project, which is its first investment in Europe and is working closely with stakeholders locally to progress the project.
IDA Ireland is in regular contact with the company, both locally in Ireland and overseas in the US.
At Thursday’s meeting in the town, company President Christopher Brotherton outlined the preparatory works and other activities that have been carried out on the site in preparation for construction and reiterated the company’s commitment to the project, saying “We are fully invested in bringing this project to fruition” and, while he said it was difficult to give an exact date as to when construction would begin, he is hopeful that works can start next year. Mr Brotherton also discussed the history of the company, corporate values, and how the company intends to interact with the local community.
He thanked Limerick County Council and IDA Ireland whom he said had been “very supportive” of the company as they worked to progress their plans.
Pat Fitzgerald, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Development at Limerick City and County Council, facilitated the meeting of Municipal Council members which was attended by Councillors Jerome Scanlan, John Sheahan and Tom Ruddle to update them on the status of the project. He said afterwards: “We greatly appreciate Ortec’s President Christopher Brotherton taking the time during a visit to the site here in Newcastle West, to update Council members on the progress being made. We very much welcome this investment for Newcastle West, it has huge local support and we greatly look forward to Ortec establishing operations here and becoming a valued employer and contributor to the economy of the town and wider region.”
The meeting was also attended by IDA Ireland’s new Regional Business Development Manager for the Mid West Region, Will Corcoran, who said: “We will continue to support Ortec as they work to develop this important project in Newcastle West and look forward to seeing it moving from planning to the operational stage.”
