Posted on over 1 year ago by Laurentina Kennedy
GE Healthcare opens $30m manufacturing line in Cork
GE Healthcare has invested $30 million in a new manufacturing line at its facility in Carrigtohill, Cork, which will be officially opened today.
The new line, which has created 140 jobs, manufactures injectable diagnostic imaging agents used in Xray and Computed Tomography (CT) procedures around the world.
The growing global prevalence of chronic disorders has driven significant growth in CT procedures, leading to increased demand for iodinated contrast media, used to enhance visualisation of organs, blood vessels and tissues across disease pathways.
GE Healthcare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics business develops and manufactures imaging agents used to support over 100 million procedures a year globally, equivalent to three patient procedures every second.
It is estimated that the new manufacturing line will increase production capacity at the Cork facility by over 50% by 2025.
President & CEO of GE Healthcare Pharmaceutical Diagnostics, Kevin O’Neill, said, "We expect global demand for iodinated contrast media to double over the next ten years due to the growth of CT imaging procedures.
"As an industry leader, we understand our responsibility to help meet this growing demand from customers and patients and this new production line is part of our wider commitment to produce 30 million more patient doses of contrast media annually by 2025."
Minister Michael McGrath welcomed the expansion of GE Healthcare’s plant at the IDA Industrial Park, Carrigtohill.
"GE Healthcare has consistently invested in manufacturing here in Cork, bringing together state-of-the-art technology, global best practices in pharmaceutical healthcare and a highly qualified workforce," Mr McGrath said.
"I am delighted today to open Line 6, the newest filling line, at the Cork campus, and welcome the creation of 140 jobs at the plant," he said.
"Today's opening represents yet another vote of confidence in Cork as a location for pharmaceutical manufacturing. I would like to commend all those who worked on this €30.5 million project and I wish GE Healthcare continued success here in Cork."
Eugene Barrett, GE Healthcare Ireland Site Leader, who leads the 765 strong team at the Cork facility, said, "We have a great team here in Cork focused on supplying for our customers and their patients.
"Next year marks our 30-year anniversary of production and this new production line is central to our continued growth."
IDA Ireland Executive Director Mary Buckley said the announcement is "terrific news for Cork and indeed the entire South West Region".
She said IDA Ireland remains focused on winning jobs and investments, like this, in regional locations.
Roles currently open at GE Healthcare include operatives, project managers, engineers, quality control personnel as well as facility management.
The project was delivered over 24 months, with Design & Project Management led by BioPharma Engineering, and construction works completed by MMD Construction.