Chanelle Pharma expands operations
Chanelle Pharma is to create 60 jobs in Ballinasloe over the next five years as the company expands its distribution and manufacturing operations in Ireland. Chanelle Pharma employs 570 people at its corporate HQ in Loughrea and also has offices and warehouses in Oranmore, Galway.
Initially, the company will relocate its Chanelle Pet distribution business from Loughrea to IDA Ireland’s Business and Technology Park in Ballinasloe. Chanelle Pet is Ireland’s leading pet food and pet accessories distributor, servicing pet, retail, veterinary and co-op markets in Ireland and the UK. It was recently named Pet Supplier of the Year by Tesco Ireland.
The €5 million investment by Chanelle Pharma in Ballinasloe will also see the company invest in warehousing and new manufacturing operations at the 65,000 sq ft facility. Chanelle Pharma will also convert the existing Chanelle Pet premises in Loughrea to a new 35,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
Chanelle Pharma, which is privately owned by its founder Michael Burke (pictured), is Ireland’s largest manufacturer of generic medicines for human and animal health, achieving sales of over €149 million to 30th April 2021, an 11% increase year-on-year. All growth is organic and the company has continually grown its business each year since 1985.
A leading pharma company with a heritage of innovation for over 35 years, Chanelle Pharma currently exports to 96 countries and supplies 10 of the top 12 human generic multinational companies in the world and 10 of the top 12 animal health multinational companies globally. Chanelle Pharma holds over 1,900 product licences for human health products worldwide and 3,500 product licences for animal health. Key markets include the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, the Middle East and the USA.
Michael Burke, founder of Chanelle Pharma, said: “Chanelle Pharma continues to grow and our Loughrea HQ is now at capacity. Despite the global pandemic we continue to see strong market demand for both our animal and human health products. Our future delivery pipeline is extensive and we are continuing to invest in and improve our manufacturing operations to further increase our delivery performance to our customers.
“We are delighted to make this investment in Ballinasloe and we look forward to making a positive contribution to the local economy and community.”
Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said: “In the course of a remarkable career, Michael Burke has built a truly world class company in veterinary and human pharmaceuticals. The company’s purpose-built facilities located on its Loughrea campus are a testimony to his vision and determination. Chanelle’s continued growth, driven through sustained investment in Research and Development, has generated hundreds of jobs for people in East Galway and beyond. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to see this further expansion of the company into Ballinasloe, a town that boasts a rich heritage of enterprise, and I wish Michael, his management team and all of the people in Chanelle, every success in this new chapter of their journey.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “Through its Property Division, IDA Ireland is constantly engaged with the property sector to market assets available across the country for commercial and industrial development. IDA’s Property team have worked closely with our colleagues in Enterprise Ireland and Chanelle Pharma to secure this investment for the IDA Ireland’s Business & Technology Park in Ballinasloe. Winning jobs and investment in regional locations is central to IDA Ireland’s strategy. I want to wish Chanelle Pharma every success with this expansion.”
