First sod officially turned today for Kilkenny Abbott facility

An official sod-turning ceremony to mark the construction of a the Abbott Manufacturing Facility in Kilkenny has taken place today (Friday).

With more than 800 jobs to be created at the facility when complete, this morning's event was attended by Minister Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, along with a number of local dignitaries.  

“With a footprint in all four provinces, Abbott has played a leading role over the past 77 years in establishing Ireland as a location for the global medtech sector. This new investment in Kilkenny will add to the high value STEM jobs already created in the South-East region by Abbott at its vascular manufacturing facility in Clonmel. This is an important investment for Ireland, and I am delighted to congratulate Abbott on this new diabetes care manufacturing facility in Kilkenny," Minister Harris said in Kilkenny today.

Mr Jared Watkin, senior vice president of Abbott’s Diabetes Care business, hosted the event. “Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system in the world2, having changed the lives of 4.5 million people across more than 60 countries3 by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable.2 This new facility, together with our diabetes care facility in Donegal, will help us meet the growing demand and bring new highly skilled jobs to the community.”

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick was delighted to attend a ceremony in the Lyrath Hotel earlier today hosted by Mr Watkin.

The 30,000 sqm manufacturing facility in Kilkenny City, will employ more than 800 people when it commences production next year.

Abbott announcement 'a strong vote of confidence in Kilkenny'

“This is another great day for Kilkenny. I am delighted that construction has commenced on Abbott’s manufacturing facility, which will produce Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose monitoring system for people with diabetes. I know that Abbott are actively recruiting to fill the many hundreds of new jobs that will be created when the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility opens next year.

"Abbott’s decision to locate their facility in the city has been a huge vote of confidence in Kilkenny, our work force and the quality of life that we offer. There has been a very positive buzz around not just County Kilkenny but the wider region since last August when the announcement was made. I wish Abbott well in the construction of the new facility and I look forward to them getting into production  their FreeStyle Libre 3 system, which will have an extremely positive impact on the lives of so many people with diabetes.”

Abbott Kilkenny sod turning - check out the photographs!

Recruitment for permanent positions is underway and almost 50 employees have already started working in Kilkenny.  The new roles will be in engineering, quality control, medical device manufacturing and other science-based areas.  The company is actively recruiting and anyone wishing to learn more about the opportunities available or register their interest in working with Abbott, can visit https://www.abbott.com/careers.html

Abbott announced in August last year that it is investing €440 million in significantly expanding manufacturing operations for its Diabetes Care business in Ireland. In addition to the new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, the company announced the expansion of operations at its existing facility in Donegal.

The building of Abbott’s new facility in Kilkenny is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Mary Buckley, Interim CEO said: “I am delighted to join Abbott in Kilkenny today at the sod-turning ceremony for its new diabetes care manufacturing plant, which will create c.800 high value jobs many of which are in STEM. This investment, announced last year, is a further testament to the deep roots the company has in Ireland.  IDA Ireland’s strategy to win investments and jobs in regional locations includes encouraging and supporting established companies to develop additional regional sites and this is a prime example. This new manufacturing facility will deliver a substantial boost to the economy of the South East.”