Medical firm creates 235 jobs in Larne in £16m investment

The Northern Ireland economy received a badly-needed boost today with the announcement of a £16m investment by an American company which will create 235 jobs in Larne.

Medical device manufacturer CaridianBCT said it intended to expand its existing operation at Millbrook in Larne over the next three years, increasing employment numbers to 425.

Economy Minister Arlene Foster, who was in Larne to make the announcement, welcomed the investment by the Colorado-headquartered group.

She said: “This major investment is a boost for Larne and for the Northern Ireland economy as a whole. CaridianBCT has set ambitious targets including increasing production at its Larne operation and more than doubling employment over the next three years.

“The company is offering not just quality employment opportunities, but the chance for local people to gain transferable skills in the important life sciences sector.

“This growing sector has been identified as a priority by Invest NI as it offers long-term economic gain through the development of innovative technologies.”

Invest NI has offered more than £1.7m of support towards the investment, including an element of training which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project will establish the plant at Old Belfast Road in Larne as one of CaridianBCT’s strategic manufacturing sites.

Mrs Foster added: “CaridianBCT’s strong focus on training and process excellence has made its Larne facility one of the most efficient operations of its type in the world and, as a result, a key component of its growth plans.”

At present, the Larne plant manufactures sterile fluids for human and veterinary use, but the aim of the development plan is to expand its operation into the assembly and delivery of a new blood processing system.

James McKelvey, managing director of CaridianBCT in Larne, said: “Our decision to make this investment reflects our confidence that the Larne operation can continue to make a significant contribution to the company’s global success, particularly in relation to our groundbreaking Atreus system and our innovative wider blood collection product range.

Craig Rinehardt, senior vice president of operations, said Larne was an important gateway to important markets in Germany and Spain.

He said: “ Key to our success in Larne has been the talented people, who understand the need to maintain the highest levels of process excellence in the manufacture of sterile medical solutions and devices.

Source: Belfasttelegraph.co.uk