Merit Medical to expand its Galway operation with the Creation of 100 new jobs

The success of Merit’s established operation in Ireland and the skill set of the existing Irish management team made Ireland Merit’s location of choice. I would like to thank staff and management at MMIL for their hard work and dedication and look forward to the successful implementation of this new project

Galway, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today ( 1st July 2010) announced that the US based medical devices company, Merit Medical, is to invest €6.7 million in expanding its operation in Galway with the creation of 100 new jobs. The expansion will involve Merit entering into the surgical pre-pack business in Europe and will establish Galway as the European centre of Merit’s operations.

Merit Medical Ireland Limited (MMIL) set up in Galway in 1994 manufacturing guidewires and inflation devices used in hospitals worldwide. The company has been involved in Research and Development (R&D) since 1997 and today’s announcement includes the purchase of a €1.4 million property in Parkmore East, Galway, allowing for unlimited organic growth of Merit’s Galway operations.

Announcing the jobs, Minister O'Keeffe described the investment by Merit Medical as significant for Ireland's life science sector. 'Ireland has a strong cluster of firms in the life science sector with eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical and 15 of the top 20 medical devices companies based here.

'The 100 new jobs will add to our reputation as a global leader for life science firms.

'Merit Medical has been in Galway for 16 years and the firm's decision to expand and target research and development adds momentum to the Government's strategy to move Ireland up the value chain and capture a greater share of the innovation market.

'As well as the 100 new positions in the plant, the extension project will generate jobs in construction and supply services which is important for the local economy in Galway,' said Minister O'Keeffe.
‘In addition to the 100 jobs that will be created as the result of this investment, Merit’s purchase of a site on which to build its new property will see an increase in employment in construction and services and will provide a further welcome boost to the local economy. On behalf of the Irish Government I welcome Merit’s latest investment in Ireland and I look forward to supporting them in their continued development here.

Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, ‘Merit currently employs 250 people in Galway and when it was decided to venture into the surgical pre-pack market in Europe a number of location options were considered. The success of Merit’s established operation in Ireland and the skill set of the existing Irish management team made Ireland Merit’s location of choice. I would like to thank staff and management at MMIL for their hard work and dedication and look forward to the successful implementation of this new project.’

The chief executive of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary said, ‘Merit’s decision to locate this operation in Ireland demonstrates our attractiveness for companies investing and expanding in the Life Sciences Sector. Ireland’s reputation as a hub for Life Sciences continues to grow with 8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical and 15 of the top 20 medical devices companies worldwide with operations here.’ 
‘IDA’s strategy, Horizon 2020, sets out to achieve balanced regional development, and today’s announcement for Galway builds on the strong medical device cluster in the West of Ireland’ concluded Mr. O’Leary.

About Merit Medical Systems Inc.
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. [MMSI] produces disposable medical devices used in hospitals worldwide. It employs 1,700, with facilities in Salt Lake City & South Jordan, Utah; Angleton, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Maastricht & Venlo in the Netherlands; and Galway, Ireland.
 
About Merit Medical Ireland
Founded in 1994, Merit Medical Ireland Limited [MMIL] based in Parkmore, Galway is engaged the development manufacture of a number of key products for Merit Medical systems Inc.  MMIL has been involved in R&D since 1997.  Products developed include InQwire guidewire, MAK and introducer wires.  It also manufactures the Basix Compaq inflation device and Haemostasis valves. Merit is the market leader in these products with 40%-50% of the world market.   MMIL has also expanded its shared service operation and is responsible for providing general, financial and operational management to all Merit European operations.   MMIL has 250 employees at its Galway facility.
 
For further information
 
Merit Medical
Mark Butler, European Vice President, Merit Medical, Parkmore Business & Technology Park, Galway. Tel:  +353 (0)91 703700
 
IDA Ireland
Thomas McEvoy, Press and PR Manager,  Tel: + 353 (0) 1 603 4255, Mob: +353 (0) 87 7426684
Gillian Lawless, Press Officer, Tel: +353 (0)1 603 4095, Mob: +353 (0) 87 905 0699