*Michael McGrath, Orlaith Lawler and Kevin O’Reilly. Photograph: Arthur Ellis
BECKMAN COULTER have announced a €10m investment and the creation of 80 new jobs at its Irish site on the outskirts of Tulla.
As part of the investment, Beckman Coulter will enhance its world-class diagnostics production with the addition of two new fully automated reagent filling lines and upgrades to the site’s infrastructure, boosting both efficiency and capacity.
Hiring is actively underway for 50 open roles while the announcement of 30 additional jobs will be recruited between 2025 and 2027 for highly skilled professionals for key functions such as Production Operations, Quality & Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development.
On Thursday, the high-tech site located in the parish of O’Callaghans Mills had an official launch to announce the new plans which was attended by Beckman Coulter’s Ireland-born president Kevin O’Reilly, who was appointed earlier this year to lead the company and its 11,000 employees globally.
European Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath, Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Violet Anne Wynne TD (IND), Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) were in attendance along with CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine, CEO of Ennis Chamber, Margaret O’Brien and Ennis Chamber President Sheila Lynch.
Already a significant economic contributor as East Clare’s largest employer with 560 plus employees, the headcount of staff will rise to 600 jobs, almost doubling since 2018.
An economic impact assessment carried out by independent market research experts Repucon revealed that the economic impact of the company was €183 million based on annual GVA (Gross Value Added) in 2023. The report also shows that the Employment Income Impact of the company for the regional economy in 2023 was €55 million, of which €22 million is provided through its 220 plus employees living in Co. Clare. Over the next five years, Beckman Coulter’s regional employment income impact is projected to generate €380 million.
“I’m incredibly happy about Beckman Coulter’s significant contributions to my home country, Ireland, not only to the local economy but also to enhancing healthcare every day,” said Kevin O’Reilly, president of Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.
EU Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath said, “Beckman Coulter is a superb case study of the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland, including into rural communities. There are few settings more rural for an FDI than this site in East Clare. Yet the Beckman Coulter produces cutting-edge diagnostic tools here that are critical to the delivery of healthcare across the globe and at the same time makes a massive economic impact on this area. This reflects brilliantly on Beckman Coulter, on the skills pool available in Ireland and on how big industry and the environment can cohabit perfectly here”.
Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland said: “Beckman Coulter has had a presence in Co. Clare since 2005. Today’s announcement of a €10m expansion is very welcome news and exemplifies IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investment for every region in Ireland. I wish Beckman Coulter continued success”.
One of the top three diagnostics companies worldwide, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics employs over 11,000 people all over the world and plays a major role in world health. Every hour around the world, more than 1 million samples – representing up to 1 million people – are analysed in hospitals using Beckman Coulter instruments. In Ireland, hospitals in Cork, Kerry, and Mayo are prime examples of facilities using Beckman Coulter’s instruments.
