100 new jobs for Northern Ireland
A US pharmaceutical company is to create 100 jobs when it begins manufacturing in Northern Ireland, it announced today.
Kiel Laboratories, a US pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing company is investing over €7m in setting up a manufacturing plant in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.
The inward investment, which is being backed with €2.25m from Invest Northern Ireland, the province’s economic agency, was announced by Ian Pearson, Britain's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
The focus of the new plant will be on prescription products for the treatment of coughs, colds and allergies.
Welcoming the investment, Mr Pearson said: “This investment is a boost to Carrickfergus and to Northern Ireland as a whole.
“It will strengthen our healthcare and biotechnology sector, a priority sector for Invest NI, and one which has huge potential for wealth creation.”
Initially the total output of the new plant will be sold to the US, but the company has entry into the European market in its longer-term plans.
Dr Jeffrey Keil, founder and president of the company, said they had been considering establishing a European presence for a number of years.
“This investment diversifies our manufacturing ability, adds capacity and provides a gateway to Europe for our future development."
