Boston Scientific set for major expansion

Boston Scientific expects to grow its Galway workforce to over 4,000 in the coming years as it expands its operations at Ballybrit.

The medical device manufacturer, already the city’s largest private employer, has unveiled plans for a €100m expansion.

It was announced recently that the expansion would “enable 300-plus jobs in the coming years”.

Backed by IDA Ireland, the US multinational said its new 40,000 square feet of medical device manufacturing space would be powered by renewable energy.

An IDA source confirmed the building has already been through the planning process. She said it was “built during lockdown” and was “in the process of being commissioned”. It’s understood the €100m investment is for equipment and machinery.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton said Galway’s worldwide reputation as an excellent location for the med-tech industry was strengthened by the announcement.

“It is a big shot in the arm to the economy in Galway and the West,” said the Galway West Fine Gael TD.

“Galway has been home to Boston Scientific for nearly 30 years, manufacturing state-of-the-art medical devices for export worldwide. It is clear from this announcement that the dedicated and skilled workforce already working for the company in Galway had no small part to play in bringing about this investment and I want to extend to them my sincere congratulations,” Minister Naughton added.

This latest plan is in addition to a recent investment of €60 million at its Ballybrit plant. To mark its 25th year in Galway, the company built a new three-storey development and customer-support building, which was opened in June 2019 by IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan.

That added an additional 4,000 square feet to the existing buildings on site that totalled more than 60,000 square feet.

Mr Shanahan said Boston Scientific had a workforce of over 6,500 people across its Galway, Clonmel and Cork sites.

“Ireland has the highest per capita number of people employed in the European medical device industry. Boston Scientific is one of the leading global medtech companies choosing to grow in Ireland and contribute to a vibrant industry sector, which has a key role to play in tackling the world’s biggest healthcare challenges,” he said.

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Massachusetts, Boston Scientific employs 32,000 workers worldwide. It is a global leader in the development of medical devices that impact 30 million patients every year.

Fewer than 30 people were on Boston Scientific’s payroll when it arrived in Galway in 1994.

And while the exact numbers fluctuate, it now it has 3,700-plus workers in Galway and expects to grow further with this development.