by Alan Jacques
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, has announced plans to create more than 130 new jobs and invest €70 million over five years in its Limerick research centre.
The investment will further position the facility, based at the National Technology Park in Castletroy, as a hub for the development of smart, secure connected health and infection monitoring solutions in clinical and non-clinical settings.
As a result, BD will add 130 new, high-quality research and development positions locally in engineering and scientific disciplines such as software, electronics, hardware and immunology.
The expansion of the Limerick facility will include a state-of-the-art laboratory, workspaces and technologies to support cutting-edge innovation.
“Our BD Research Centre Ireland plays an essential role in delivering products and solutions to improve biomedical discovery, the diagnosis of disease and the delivery of care for patients. Our partnership with the IDA has been vital to our success and continued expansion,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at BD Beth McComb.
“Looking ahead, BD innovation is focused on integrated, digital solutions to empower the smart hospital, enable new care settings and improve chronic disease outcomes. Continuing to attract the best and brightest minds in Limerick and across Ireland will be critical to help BD deliver on our purpose of advancing the world of health.”
Established in 2017, the BD Research Centre Ireland facility was initially focused on product and software development, clinical research instrumentation and prototype development primarily for two businesses within the company’s Life Sciences segment.
Now celebrating its five-year anniversary, the site has grown to support six out of the company’s nine business units with advances across the continuum of care. An integral part of the BD research ecosystem, the BD Research Centre Ireland has grown to house centres of excellence in highly relevant specialised disciplines – such as information security, bio-compatibility and toxicology.
“Our associates in Ireland play a significant role in advancing solutions across our portfolio, and we’ve added 125 full-time roles in Research Centre Ireland since March 2020 to further our impact. With the 130 additional roles and expanded facilities announced today, we’ll be able to further tap into Ireland’s robust talent pool to accelerate innovation fundamental to our growth strategy,” Senior R&D Director for BD, Padraig FitzGerald explained.
Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell commented: “The creation of these 130 high-end jobs at BD on top of their existing 350 jobs in place is another further strong endorsement of what Limerick and the region has to offer in terms of the highly trained and skilled workforce as well as our third level colleges and its constant steam of high quality graduates. Established here in Limerick just over five years ago in 2017, this nearly 40 per cent increase in employee number will bring the workforce at BD to a very impressive 480.
“The investment of €70 million over five years will further position the BD facility in Castletroy as a hub for the development of smart, secure connected health and infection monitoring solutions in clinical and non-clinical settings.”
The Limerick facility currently employs about 350 associates. BD’s legacy of investing in Ireland dates back to the 1960s. Today, the company has expanded to four locations in Ireland, employing nearly 1,300 people.
“The expansion of BD’s Research Centre Ireland facility, first established in Limerick five years ago, is welcome news and further strengthens the Mid West Region’s established R&D cluster. I wish BD Limerick every success with this announcement,” said CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan.
