Councillor Francis Foley with local Fianna Fáil Minister and TD Niall Collins at the site of the new Ortec facility which commenced construction this week in the Business Park in Newcastle West.
Last week, Ortec which is a leading supplier of contract formulation and manufacturing services to the life science industry announced that building work had begun on its European Headquarters for Manufacturing and Operations Centre in Newcastle West Business Park.
It is hoped the firm will employ over 100 people when it becomes operational. Ortec had announced its intention to establish its European HQ at Newcastle West in 2016 and is now moving ahead with its plans. The Newcastle West facility will be first for Ortec outside of North America.
Welcoming the development, Limerick TD and Minister for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan said: “This is a brilliant day for the town and is a culmination of years of work from the Brotherton family, the IDA, Limerick City and County Council and the local group of promoters who have worked tirelessly to keep the project on track from the start.”
“This project represents a multi-million euro investment in Newcastle West. It will provide future opportunities for people across a range of areas including manufacturing and engineering.
“A great deal of work has gone in to bringing the project to this stage. This is a good day for Newcastle West. This plant is a massive investment for the town and a great boost for our County and our region.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that the Station Road part of Newcastle West is experiencing a massive amount of both public and private investment in recent months. “Some existing businesses have expanded, the Government has provided funds to the Council for investment in footpaths and the road itself, it has also funded the Greenway development, the primary care centre is underway, Ortec’s arrival and other investments along the road all show a really thriving area where millions of euro of public and private investment are being made into that part of Newcastle West.”
Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick County and Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Niall Collins, also welcomed the news commenting, “I am delighted to see this project move ahead at last. By establishing its European HQ in Newcastle West, Ortec will bring a substantial number of jobs to Newcastle West and the wider region.
“It’s fantastic to see a thriving Life Sciences sector in the Mid-West Region and I wish Ortec every success with its operations here.”
The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins, who is from Newcastle West in welcoming the commencement of works said: “This is great news for the town of Newcastle West and West Limerick as a whole. I welcome the announcement from Ortec that construction work has begun. It is hugely important that we have high quality jobs in the area to attract people to live and work here. I’ve no doubt these jobs will have a huge knock-on effect for the Newcastle West and West Limerick economy.”
“Limerick City and County Council has been very proactive in supporting IDA Ireland and Ortec in securing this investment for Newcastle West. In promoting the area for foreign direct investment and by working in partnership and collaborating with other stakeholders we can make West Limerick an even more attractive place for investment.”
The facility is due to become operational in mid-2022.