Medical device companies to create 160 jobs in Ballinasloe and Galway

Unemployment blackspot, Ballinasloe has been buoyed by a big jobs boost.

An American multinational medical device company has pledged to pump €16.5 million into the East Galway town, creating 100 new jobs.

Surmodics, which is headquartered in Minnesota, has acquired Creagh Medical, and expects to add 100 jobs to the existing workforce of 32 over five years.

The company will invest €9.5 million in research and development projects, as well as €7 million to upgrade the building it has acquired at the IDA Park in Ballinasloe.

The most recent unemployment figures for April, showed signs of recovery in Ballinasloe – the numbers signing-on dropped by 9% year-on-year. There are still 1,906 unemployed in the town – but the jobless figure has dipped below the 2,000 mark for the first time since recession hit.

“The creation of 100 jobs in Ballinasloe is the equivalent of 1,000 jobs for Galway City,” said Galway/ Roscommon TD and Junior Minister, Denis Naughten.

There was double delight on the jobs-front for Galway this week with confirmation that medical device technology firm, ZELTIQ, is setting up a manufacturing base in Galway City. The Californian company plans to create 60 jobs over 18 months.

For more on this story, see the Connacht Tribune.