Pharmaceutical group Fujisawa has invested €17m in the expansion of its Irish operations in Killorglin, Co Kerry. The company employs a total of 280 people there and has constructed a 27,000sq ft extension to provide additional production space for the new operation.
The Killorglin plant is a pharmaceutical finishing plant and was established in 1991 with IDA Ireland support. Although initially proposed to employ 27 workers, it has grown significantly over the years to its current level of 280 workers. Despite the expansion, the company has not said it will be increasing its workforce.
Speaking during an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Japan, Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin said the investment gives the Killorglin facility an integral role in the future strategic business of the company and consolidates the operation in the Co Kerry town.
Fujisawa is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Japan and is one of the world's top 30. It employs 8,000 people worldwide and it develops and manufactures antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, immunosuppressants, respiratory and anti-allergic medicines.
