BD to Build R&D Centre in Limerick
Medical Technology company Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) announced on Friday that it plans to open a research and development centre in Limerick, creating about 100 jobs.
The €21 million investment in the centre includes an extensive renovation of the former UniGolf facility in the National Technology Park. Once completed, it is planned to house more than 200 high-tech positions, including the more than 100 BD jobs that are already in Limerick and 100 new positions.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, who attended the announcement, said: “Today’s announcement by BD of 100 jobs makes me very proud of Limerick. The company will now begin the process of giving 100 highly skilled workers the opportunity to improve their own lives through employment and also contribute in a meaningful way to the growth of this world class company. This is the latest in a series of quality jobs announcements in Limerick and is a further endorsement of the people of Limerick, the city itself and the top class educational institutions.”
BD has invested significantly in Ireland since 1964 with two sites in Drogheda and Dun Laoghaire, employing more than 500 people in high-skill positions. With the acquisition of GenCell Biosystems Limited in Limerick, the number of BD employees in Ireland has risen to nearly 600.
The BD Limerick R&D Centre will initially be focused on product and software development, clinical research instrumentation and prototype development, primarily for the company’s Life Sciences businesses.
Ellen Strahlman, Executive Vice President R&D and Chief Medical Officer for BD said: “Areas served by activities and products arising from our new R&D Centre of Excellence will include the fields of microbiology and molecular biology, clinical and cellular research analysis, and industrial microbiology. Customers will include hospitals, laboratories and clinics, reference laboratories, industrial laboratories, physicians’ office practices, alternate site health care, academic and government institutions, and research facilities. Limerick will be very important for our strategic growth.”
