boost to the Ballina area when he announced that Hollister Incorporated, a speciality medical products company, is to invest €80 million at their facility in Ballina. Hollister is one of the largest employers in Ballina and contributed more than €60 million to the Irish economy in 2013. Hollister Ireland was established in Ballina in 1976. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hollister Incorporated and currently employs over 500 people in both new product development and manufacturing.
The plant in Ballina is located on approximately 40 acres. This investment by Hollister Incorporated will build upon its existing continence care portfolio of intermittent catheter products and services including their next generation hydrophilic catheters.
The company has made significant investments in its plant in Ballina over the last seven years and this new injection will add to that. Over the past seven years a number of additional functions have been added to the original manufacturing process including research and technology development, new product development, corporate project engineering and technical services. The Ballina operation also coordinates the inventory, distribution and sales invoicing for Hollister throughout Europe and the EMEA region.
Welcoming the announcement today An Taoiseach said: "The investment by Hollister Incorporated of €80m in their Ballina plant is fantastic news for Mayo and the north west. The investment by Hollister represents a vote of confidence in Ballina and the local workforce. The Government's mission is to rebuild Ireland's economy and this can only be achieved by creating a supportive environment for business and jobs. New investments by companies like Hollister are critical in getting Ireland working again and the Government will do everything possible to win more investments into Ireland and Mayo."
Bob Crowe, senior vice president, global operations and information technology, Hollister Incorporated, said: “Our continued investment in Ballina provides a great opportunity for Hollister Incorporated to continue our mission to make life more rewarding and dignified for those who use our products and services. The support of the Irish Government and the IDA is greatly appreciated.”
The Taoiseach went on to say: “I also wish to express my thanks to Hollister management for choosing to invest further in Ireland and to the hard work and dedication of the over 500 employees currently based in Ballina.”
Fine Gael, Ballina TD Michelle Mulherin said that "the announcement is evidence for us locally of the benefits and prudence of the economic policy which has been pursued by government to date to fix our problems and create the confidence for these international companies to invest in our country and particularly in Mayo. I want to compliment the Taoiseach for the international crusade he has undertaken since assuming office to lift our reputation as a credible country to do business with on the international stage and to encourage international investment in Ireland and create jobs. His efforts have played a great part in this announcement.”
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs, and Ballina native Dara Calleary TD also welcomed the news, saying: “The news that Hollister is to invest a further €80 million in its Ballina facility is a huge vote of confidence in the workforce and in what Ballina and Mayo have to offer. The medical products company has been a key employer in Ballina for nearly four decades. Thanks to the support of the IDA over the years, the company announced plans to nearly double its workforce in 2010 and it now employs over 500 people in Ballina. These are highly skilled positions that have added enormous value to the local economy over the years.”
He added: “Hollister’s ongoing commitment to Mayo strengthens Ireland’s position as a global hub for healthcare companies. I hope that this latest investment will result in more jobs for Mayo. I also hope that this signals a new focus from the IDA to address the major regional imbalances in jobs investment over the past three years, that have seen Mayo and the North West region lose out significantly.”
Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, said the news of the investment in the Ballina plant was a wonderful vote of confidence in the community of Ballina and its environs. “It really is tremendous news and is further proof of this Government’s drive to get our country working again. This type of investment can only be achieved when the private sector and the state agencies work together for the common good and this is the perfect example of that coming together. Hollister has been an integral part of life in Ballina since the mid-seventies and it is well regarded as an excellent employer. Five hundred people are currently working there and this new investment is certain to create even further jobs at the plant. All things considered it’s a wonderful day for Ballina and it’s a real sign that the future is bright.”
