BD is investing €52 million ($66.4 million) to expand operations in Drogheda, County, Ireland.

   Ireland's medical device and diagnostics sector, already employing approximately 26,000, continues to add jobs.
   Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD) is investing €52 million ($66.4 million) to expand its manufacturing center in Drogheda, County, Ireland. BD says the project will add 125 jobs to the operation over the next five years.
   BD was one of the first overseas- based medical device firms to base a facility in Ireland, establishing facilities in Drogheda in 1964 and Dun Laoghaire in 1970. Both facilities manufacture diabetes care devices.
   BD has already invested €115 million ($146.9 million) in its Irish plants over the last decade. The Drogheda center will manufacture a new high- value product, a pre- filled syringe. The site was chose for expansion after competition with other BD sites around the globe. Ireland was selected for its attractiveness as a manufacturing location and its proximity to the European market.
   BD, which employs more than 25,000 in 50 countries, is also investing in China, with plans to build a $16- million manufacturing plant to produce rapid diagnostic products for flu and viral infections. BD expects its total investment in the Suzhou facility to reach $48 million within a few years. BD has had manufacturing operations in Suzhou for 10 years.
   Also building in Ireland is Cordis Corp., one of seven Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland that employ over 2,000 people. Cordis plans a 180,000- sq.- ft. (16,700- sq.- m.) manufacturing facility, development lab and finished goods testing center in Cashel, Ireland, halfway between Limerick and Waterford in County Tipperary.
   The operation will employ 400 to manufacture cardiology devices including the company's Cypher coronary stent. About 60 more jobs will be created at the finished goods testing center and at the development lab. Cordis expects the site to be operational during the first half of 2008.