*Pat Breen (Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection) pictured with Gerard King, CEO , officially opened the newly constructed 40,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Smithstown Light Engineering, Shannon, Co Clare. Photograph: Brian Arthur. 

Sixty jobs are to be created over the next two years by Smithstown Light Engineering as part their €6m investment in Shannon.

128 people are currently employed by the second generation Irish indigenous firm which services medical devices and orthopaedic companies with precision engineering solutions. Its production facility has trebled with new roles to be created on site in the areas of programming, engineering machinists and quality control specialists.

Located in Smithstown Industrial Estate, the company was founded in 1974. Ten years later, it entered into partnership with US headquartered Molex but returned to full Irish ownership in 2006. Abbott Ireland, Analog Devices, Braun, BD Medical, Boston Scientific, and Lufthansa are some of Smithstown Light Engineering’s clients.

Chief Executive Gerard King stated, “Our ongoing investment and expansion of our production capabilities reflects our commitment to be at the cutting edge of leading technologies. Since our inception 45 years ago, we have transitioned from a parts production company to a global leader in new technologies and advanced manufacturing methods for the medtech sector at home and abroad”.

King added, “This is about future-proofing. Our customers are experiencing incredible growth and are keen to reduce lead times in sourcing products around the world. This expansion ensures we can keep up with their growing demand for ultra-precision products used in lifesaving treatments”.

An innovation centre enabling collaboration with customers in research and development will be in the company’s new facility which also aims to examine opportunities with new technologies in the 3D printing manufacturing sector.

Minster of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen described the expansion of Smithstown Light Engineering as “very welcome news for the Shannon area. It is an endorsement of Ireland’s growing reputation as a global leader in Life Sciences and medical devices.”