Abbott, a leader in the global healthcare industry, has celebrated the grand opening of its advanced manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, Ireland. The event was attended by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, alongside Abbott’s chairman and CEO, Robert Ford. This site serves as a central hub for Abbott’s excellence in diabetes care production, set to employ over 800 individuals.
The Kilkenny site is a part of a substantial €440 million investment in Ireland, which also includes a major upgrade of Abbott’s Donegal facility, creating an additional 200 jobs. The newly established 30,000-square meter plant in Kilkenny is dedicated to the production of FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, the latest and smallest in Abbott’s series of advanced glucose monitoring devices designed for diabetes management.
An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, remarked at the ceremony, “Since 1946, Abbott has been an enduring global presence and a significant employer in Ireland. This new investment further underscores Ireland’s appeal as a hub for top-tier manufacturing and healthcare enterprises. With this new facility’s launch, Ireland emerges as a global leader in diabetes care.”
Robert Ford, Abbott’s chairman and CEO, added, “This represents our continued pledge to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing life quality for those with diabetes. The leading-edge Kilkenny plant will significantly bolster the production of Libre sensors globally, responding to the increasing demand for our FreeStyle Libre series.”
The Kilkenny plant was constructed with sustainability at its core, featuring fully electric operations supported by six air-to-water heat pumps, nearly 600 solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems.
Furthering its commitment to Ireland, Abbott introduces a new $100,000 grant in collaboration with The Ireland Funds. Managed by the scholarship initiative No Mind Left Behind, this grant will support three 2024 Leaving Certificate graduates, enabling their pursuit of higher education. Scholarship winners hail from local DEIS schools, namely Coláiste Mhuire, Grennan College, and Castlecomer Community School, focusing on STEM pathways in line with Abbott’s aim to inspire future STEM professionals.
Beyond Ireland, Abbott is enhancing its production capabilities across Europe with a further £85 million influx in its Oxfordshire, UK facility in Witney.
Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre series stands as the world’s foremost continuous glucose monitoring system, assisting more than 6 million users in over 60 nations globally.
Abbott continues to influence worldwide healthcare by enabling people to enhance their quality of life throughout life’s stages. Its expansive range of transformative technologies spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generic medications.