Vistakon Ireland is to invest more than €100 million in the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Limerick, creating 100 jobs in the process, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has announced.
It is anticipated that recruitment of these third level positions will be completed by mid year. In addition, it is expected that the 18 month construction phase will create 200 temporary positions.
"Limerick was chosen for this strategically important investment because of its track record over many years in providing quality products and excellent customer service to markets around the globe," Paul Connolly, a vice president of manufacturing at Vistakon said.
A subsidiary of medical firm Johnson and Johnson, Vistakon Ireland, currently employs around 650 people at its plant in the National Technological Park in Plassey.
The company produces the Acuvue range of contact lenses, one of the leading contact lens products in the world.
Further jobs were expected at the Limerick plant after Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Ireland) applied to Limerick County Council for permission for a 5,171sq m extension.
The news comes as a significant boost to the Limerick region, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
Vistakon Ireland first opened its doors at the National Technological Park beside the University of Limerick in 1995.
The mid-west region is also likely to see a separate major jobs boost in the coming weeks when 400 jobs are expected to be announced at a call centre lined up for the former Dell manufacturing facility in Raheen in Limerick.
IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O'Leary said Johnson & Johnson's contribution to the Irish economy and the Mid West region has been substantial. "This further investment by the world's largest diversified healthcare company is a very positive development for the future."
