ITW FILTERTEK TO ADD 35 NEW JOBS IN NEWCASTLE WEST

The Newcastle West-based medical device components manufacturer Filtertek Ireland, an ITW Medical company, is set to expand its operations, adding 35 new manufacturing roles over five years and bringing total employment to nearly 100 people.

The expansion is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

Filtertek Ireland was established in Newcastle West in 1982. The com-pany operates as a contract manufacturer, specialising in plastic insert moulded filtration and flow control com-ponents for the global OEM medical device market. Principal products are anti-reflux and anti-siphon check valves used in IVs for drug infusion, kidney dialysis and blood transfusion sets.

Filtertek Ireland’s cust-omers include most of the top 30 global medical device market leaders. This expansion positions Filtertek Ireland to grow with its existing customer base, while supporting the design, development and production of new medical components and finished devices.

The new positions will be a mix of machine oper-ators, moulding tech-nicians, engineers, quality technicians and production supervisors.

Speaking about the expan-sion and jobs announce-ment, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Inno-vation, Richard Bruton TD, said: “Manufacturing is an area which was neglected by governments in previous years, but since taking office we have made it a central part of our industrial strategy and have put in place a range of measures to support growth in this area. We are starting to see the results, with manufacturing employment now growing again, and productivity in this area is showing impressive results. The announcement that Filtertek Ireland is expanding employment in Newcastle West is a great boost for this area and evidence of what is pos-sible for manufacturing companies in regional locations. I wish Filtertek every success with this project.”

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Newcastle West-based Patrick O’Donovan, has welcomed the announcement by Filtertek. “We are very lucky in Newcastle West to have high quality employers like Filtertek, this announcement is a major vote of confidence by Filtertek and the government in Newcastle West and as a local person representing the area I am delighted that this ann-ouncement has received support from Minister Richard Bruton.”

The Fine Gael Party chairman and TD for Limerick, Dan Neville, also welcomed the announ-cement, saying “This is a great vote of confidence in the skills base of Newcastle West and in the economy, and it will bring Filtertek’s total employment to almost 100 people in the area.”