News Archive

50 New Jobs Created in Dungarvan

Minister for Social and Family Affairs Martin Cullen TD today (Thursday 17th April 2008) announced that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, is to invest a further €30 million in the expansion of its existing over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. The investment, supported by IDA Ireland, will create 50 new high quality jobs over three years in the production of a product to aid smoking cessation, for supply to all markets outside of North America.  The jobs will be in areas of production, quality, technical and engineering.

Minister Cullen was on a visit to the GSK site to perform the official opening of a recently completed €23 million expansion at the site with Sir Christopher Gent, Chairman, GSK.  Announced in January 2007 by GSK, the investment establishes a new granulation and compression facility and provides increased production capacity for the introduction of new products in GSK’s internationally established Panadol range.

Minister Cullen said “Implementation of these two investments, in such a short time-span, is a major vote of confidence in the Dungarvan facility and in the capabilities of the town of Dungarvan to support such strategic developments.  The investments underpin the existing operation and its workforce, and will create excellent additional employment opportunities. They will also significantly enhance the facility’s role in GSK’s global business.  I congratulate the management and workforce at the Dungarvan site for their commitment and successes which have resulted in this excellent outcome.”

GSK employs 1,450 people in Ireland and first established operations here in 1975.  In Dungarvan it has two manufacturing operations and is the largest employer in the town with almost 700 staff; in Cork it has a third manufacturing operation, where it develops and produces a range of bulk pharmaceuticals, together with R&D and European Trading operations; and in Dublin there are Sales and Marketing functions.
 
This latest investment in Dungarvan is at the GlaxoSmithKline Dungarvan Limited site, which manufactures over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals in tablet form for global markets, for brands such as Panadol, Panadol Extra, Coldrex and Solpadeine. It was established in 1987. The second Dungarvan operation - GlaxoSmithKline Oral Care – was an existing facility acquired by GSK in 2001 and is engaged in the global manufacture of denture care products, principally under the Polident, Poligrip and Corega brand names.

Michael Tyler, Vice President and Site Director, GSK Dungarvan said “This is a significant investment for the Dungarvan community and recognises the confidence and trust GSK has in our employees.”

About GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
GlaxoSmithKline — one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies — is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline on the World Wide Web at www.gsk.com.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world with leadership in three major therapeutic areas – anti-infectives, central nervous system and respiratory. It was formed through the December 2000 merger of British drugmakers Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKlineBeecham. Headquartered in London, it employs over 101,000 people worldwide and has an extensive global sales and marketing network with product supplied from 78 sites in 37 countries. 

For Further Information

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) media contact –
Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, H+A O’Sullivan PR. Tel: 086 8188163 annmarie@osullivanpr.ie
Department of Social and Family Affairs –
Ms. Michelle Hoctor, Press Advisor, Tel: 087 8563070
e.mail: michelle.hoctor@welfare.ie
IDA Ireland –
Ruth Croke, Press & PR Manager.  Tel: 087 4195051  ruth.croke@ida.ie
Brendan Kenny, Press & PR Officer. Tel: 087 903612