IDA Ireland welcomes significant new investment at the DePuy Synthes Ireland Innovation Centre, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

€36 million investment will position DePuy Synthes’ Irish operation at the forefront of ground-breaking health solutions

Monday, January 28th, 2019. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, today announced a €36 million investment in ground-breaking research and development projects at the DePuy Synthes Ireland Innovation Centre, Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

The five year project is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation, through IDA Ireland. It will result in significant developments at the company’s Materials and Surface Technology Centre, including co-location with Johnson & Johnson’s 3D Printing Center of Excellence, creating 30 additional high-quality positions.

The investment expands the scale and scope of activities taking place at the DePuy Synthes Innovation Centre. Since launching a decade ago, the Centre has accelerated innovative technologies and new product introductions for the company’s orthopaedic portfolio, driven by a diverse technical team. Projects will focus on advancing material science in 3D printing, coatings and surface treatments to meet future needs. The expansion includes the establishment of a 3-D Printing Development and Launch Center on-site, as well as the Johnson & Johnson 3D Bioprinting Laboratory, launched last year in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin.

Making the announcement in Ringaskiddy, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, said, “DePuy Synthes’ investment of €36 million in innovation and the addition of 30 jobs at the company’s Materials Centre of Excellence is fantastic news for the region, and clearly demonstrates the strong commitment by DePuy to the site. This has been built on a solid track record of over 20 years of successful operations here in Cork.”

Welcoming the announcement on behalf of DePuy Synthes, Shannon Crespin, VP, Global Supply Chain, DePuy Synthes said, “I’m delighted to be here for today’s announcement, which marks the next phase in the exciting R&D activity being undertaken at this Innovation Centre. As the world’s most comprehensive medical devices business, our expert team continues to develop ground-breaking healthcare solutions, underlining our ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare delivery”.

Gary Clerkin, Global Leader, Manufacturing Engineering, Science & Technology, DePuy Synthes, said, “This new programme will build on the dedication, hard work and excellent results delivered by the Innovation Centre over the past 10 years. It is crucial that we continue to deliver impactful research outcomes, and this advanced Materials and Surface Technology Centre will help accelerate innovation through the supply chain and shape the products of the future. A central element of this investment, the 3D Printing Development and Launch Center, complements the 3D Bioprinting partnership with Trinity College Dublin launched last year.”

Welcoming the announcement, Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said, “Ireland continues to evolve its global leadership position in the manufacture of high value, highly regulated innovative products and services. Exemplars in this regard which truly stand on the world stage include DePuy Synthes, who have been identified as a World Economic Forum Lighthouse for their process driven digital twin programme pioneered in their ‘Factory of the Future’ in Cork. Today’s further investment in this site is a clear endorsement of the talent, foresight and capability of the team here and, on behalf of IDA Ireland, I wish the company continued success.”