MSD creating 350 jobs in new plant on old site

Jobs boost for Swords

Martin Shanahan, IDA Ireland; Minister Heather Humphreys; Ger Brennan, MSD.

John Manning
© Fingal Independent

MSD Ireland is to open a new facility in Swords under the MSD Biotech banner, which is set to create 350 jobs on the same site as the plant the company shut down last year.

The company's former plant in Swords completed its wind down last year with the loss of 570 jobs but a brand new plan is to be established on the same site, bringing 350 jobs back to Swords.

It will be entirely new operation known as MSD Biotech and the plant will produce biologics-based medicines for the global market.

Ger Brennan, Managing Director of MSD Ireland said the decision to locate the new plant in Swrods was 'a testament to the talent we have here in Ireland'.

The company wrote to Senator James Reilly about the jobs announcement, saying the new plant 'will play a pivotal role in the manufacture of MSD's biologics-based medicines, including in the area of immuno-oncology, and will expand MSD's current internal network of biologics drug substance manufacturing plants'.

Site preparation and facility design will commence immediately. Full manufacturing operations are expected to begin in 2021, according to the company.

The company told Senator Reilly: 'The decision to locate this new facility in Ireland is a testament to the talent of MSD's Irish employees and the high standard of our existing operations. It reinforces MSD's commitment to Ireland and further strengthens our global network'.

Senator Reily said: 'This is great news for Swords and comes hot on the heels on a major investment by Korean firm SK BIOTEK where I recently attended the formal ceremony of the marking of their investment in swords securing 360 jobs and more new jobs to come soon as they invest more in Swords and Ireland.

'International companies recognise the quality of our education system here producing skilled employees to take up well paid jobs in this hi-tech business.'

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD and IDA Ireland today welcomed the announcement, saying: 'This investment by MSD is a great vote of confidence in Ireland.'

She said: 'MSD has been a tremendous success story in this country with plants located in several centres, providing valuable employment.'

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: 'MSD's decision to develop a new biotechnology facility in Swords, with the expected creation of up to 350 new jobs greatly strengthens Ireland's position as a global destination for manufacturing excellence in biopharmaceuticals.'

The company has said that its former Swords employees can apply for the new positions but added that the skills needed at the new plant will be different to the one that shut down, last year.