- An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, and Abbott Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ford, attend official opening
- More than 800 to be employed at the diabetes technology manufacturing site, which is part of a €440 million investment Abbott is making across two sites in Ireland
- Facility will have the highest production of FreeStyle Libre® sensors in the world
- Abbott announces $100,000 grant to The Ireland Funds to support the education of young people from three DEIS schools located in Kilkenny
The Kilkenny facility is part of a €440 million investment in Ireland, which includes a significant expansion of the company’s Donegal site, where a further 200 jobs are being created. The new 30,000-square meter Kilkenny facility is producing FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, the world’s smallest1 sensors and latest generation in Abbott’s world-leading2 continuous glucose monitoring portfolio for people living with diabetes.
Speaking at the event, An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, said, "Abbott, which has been in Ireland since 1946, is one of the longest-established global companies and largest employers in our country. This latest investment is a further vote of confidence in Ireland as a location for world-class advanced manufacturing and healthcare businesses. With the opening of this new site, Ireland is now at the global centre of diabetes care."
"This is our latest commitment to providing innovative care and supporting people with diabetes to live healthier lives," said Robert Ford, Chairman and CEO, Abbott. "The state-of-the-art Kilkenny facility will have the highest production of Libre sensors in the world to help meet the growing global demand for our world-leading2 FreeStyle Libre portfolio. Ireland plays a crucial role in helping Abbott deliver on our purpose, with 10 sites across all four provinces supporting our work in diagnostics, medical devices and nutrition."
"During its 78-year legacy, Abbott has brought substantial economic and employment benefits to Ireland," said Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland. "I am delighted to join the company today to celebrate the official opening of its 10th site in Ireland where its FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose monitoring system will be produced. The decision by Abbott to establish in Kilkenny exemplifies IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investments in regional locations. I congratulate the Irish and global teams at Abbott on this investment and wish them every continued success in their operations here."
Abbott’s Kilkenny facility was built with sustainability in mind. The site is fully electric, powered by six air-to-water heat pumps, has nearly 600 solar panels on the roof and features tanks for collecting rainwater to use onsite.
Demonstrating its further commitment to Ireland, Abbott is announcing a new $100,000 grant to The Ireland Funds. The grant, which will be run by The Fund’s scholarship wing, No Mind Left Behind, will fund three 2024 Leaving Certificate graduates, enabling them to take up third-level education. The scholarship recipients are all from local DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools including Coláiste Mhuire, Grennan College and Castlecomer Community School. All students are pursuing their education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, which aligns with Abbott’s drive to support more young people into STEM careers.
Outside Ireland, Abbott is expanding its manufacturing capacity across Europe with a further £85 million investment in its Witney facility in Oxfordshire, UK.
Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre portfolio is the world’s leading2 continuous glucose monitoring system, now helping more than 6 million people across over 60 countries.