Zimmer Announces Expansion Into Ireland

This is the article my eyes fell upon when looking over the paper yesterday evening. I found it interesting....


Zimmer Announces Expansion Into Ireland
Staff Report

Zimmer Inc. soon will expand to Ireland.

According to information from the company, Zimmer Inc. will expand its manufacturing facilities to a 100,000-square-foot location in Shannon, Ireland."

We are delighted to be adding a new Ireland facility to our global network," said Zimmer President and CEO David Dvorak.

"We are constantly assessing our worldwide operations and logistics network to maximize efficiency and customer service, and this project is a result of that process. We are grateful for the cooperation and encouragement of the national and local officials in Shannon and look forward to establishing a facility that utilizes the tremendous skills and expertise of the workforce to produce high-technology medical devices."

The company considered several locations, including existing sites and other worldwide locations, before deciding on Shannon. Zimmer Inc. expects to invest $70 to $75 million in the Shannon plant in the next two years.

Manufacturing at the Shannon facility is projected to begin late this year. To begin, the plant will employ 25 to 50 people, which will expand to about 250 employees in five years.

The facility will make knee replacement implants at start-up, and other product could be added in the future. Shannon Development and Irish Development Agency officials gave Zimmer Inc. tax rate adjustments, training grants and incentives to locate in Ireland. Actual amount of the grants, tax adjustments and incentives were not released."

Zimmer's decision to establish Shannon Free Zone adds significantly to Ireland's profile as a leading location for medical device companies in Europe," said Michael Martin, minister for enterprise, trade and employment in Ireland. "This investment is welcome news for Shannon and was secured by Shannon Development with the assistance of IDA Ireland. Zimmer can be confident of finding highly skilled professionals and infrastructure of international standards in this part of the country. More and more companies are discovering the benefits of locating in regional centers throughout Ireland."

Shannon Development's Chief Executive Kevin Thompstone said, "This is a tremendous boost for Shannon; it is one of the largest projects to locate at the Shannon Free Zone in recent years. We are delighted that Zimmer have chosen Shannon. The Zimmer decision is the result of Shannon Development and IDA Ireland working to secure this project for Shannon. One of the key economic benefits of a project of this scale is the employment opportunities it presents for Irish graduates and professionals at all levels."

In the past several years, Zimmer Inc. has added approximately 600 new jobs by expanding its Warsaw manufacturing, research and development and distribution facilities. Zimmer currently employs about 2,400 people in Warsaw.