Almac '˜committed' to Craigavon after Dundalk expansion announcement

The pharmaceutical firm said it will be making a multi-million pound investment at the new facility in the IDA Business Park and creating 100 new jobs.

Following the Brexit vote the firm said it would allow it to have a “continued presence within the European Union in the long-term”.

Last November, Almac said it would spend £5m on a new headquarters building in Craigavon with a new laboratory and office space as well as 300 new full time jobs.

A spokesperson said the Dundalk acquisition aims to ‘support its ongoing global expansion plans in response to increased client demand’.

And it was revealed the expansion has been supported by the Irish government’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

The facility will be utilised by Almac Pharma Services and Almac Clinical Services, both of which are registered to operate in the Republic of Ireland, said the Almac spokesperson.

“The new premises increases the Group’s European footprint by 32,000sq ft and provides continued presence within the European Union in the long term,” a statement said.

“These investments will see an increase of Almac’s global headcount to over 5,000 by the end of 2017.”

Alan Armstrong, CEO Almac Group added: “This latest investment in Dundalk is a further example of Almac’s ambitious global expansion plans and will deliver up to an additional 100 new jobs within the first two years. This news comes in addition to our recent announcement of a £27m investment at our global Headquarter site in Craigavon, our US operations and our European facility in Athlone. All of this is evidence of Almac’s commitment to provide best-in-class products and services to our clients across the world and we would like to thank all those who have supported us to date.”

Welcoming the investment by Almac, the Republic’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “This is a very exciting project for Dundalk and builds on the strong cluster of multinational companies who have very successfully located in that town in recent years and who have found it a great base from which to promote their sales into other EU Member States. Ireland’s expertise in the Pharma sector is unrivalled, with virtually all the major international players having operations here, thus generating synergies and opportunities for new companies investing with us. These additional 100 jobs to be provided are very welcome and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial engagement with Almac into the future”.

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said “Almac’s decision to expand into Dundalk provides the company with certainty of access to the European Union in the long term– this certainty of access is an increasingly important selling point for Ireland as we look to win business for Ireland. IDA Ireland will continue to promote Ireland as an ideal location for companies from a range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, IT and financial services that are looking to ensure that they have a presence in the European single market.”

A spokesperson added: “This investment strengthens Almac’s existing presence in the Republic of Ireland following the acquisition of Arran Chemical Company facility in Athlone in 2015. The facility has expanded the company’s biocatalysis services, which is part of Almac’s Sciences Business Unit.”