The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD today announced the creation of 125 new jobs at VistaMed in Carrick-on-Shannon and Roosky, Co. Leitrim.

The announcement was made at the official opening of VistaMed’s new state-of-the-art extension to its Carrick-on-Shannon manufacturing facility. VistaMed is the leading Irish catheter and extrusion provider to the global medical device industry and a Helix Medical joint venture partner.

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The announcement is part of a new investment programme of more than €7million, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. Recruitment for these positions is ongoing and positions are expected to be filled by the end of 2014.

This new investment is in response to increased demand in the global medical device market for sophisticated and innovative catheter and stent delivery systems.

Officially opening the new facility Minister Bruton said: “Medical technologies is a key sector which we have targeted as part of our Action Plan for Jobs, and in particular we have sought to support the growth of a strong cluster of Irish companies in this area. In recent years despite difficulties we have seen an overall strong performance in this sector. VistaMed is a great example of an Irish company, with world-class product offering, performing strongly in highly competitive global markets and employing large numbers of people in Co. Leitrim.

“Today’s news that, with the support of my Department through Enterprise Ireland, VistaMed is creating 125 new jobs as part of a €7million investment programme is a great boost for Leitrim and for the whole country. I have spoken before about our determination to support a powerful engine of Irish exporting business driving employment recovery across the country. VistaMed’s announcement today is a compelling example of what is possible for companies in every region of the country and I commend them on their achievement”.

Managing Director of VistaMed Patrick Mulholland said: “VistaMed was founded on being a solution provider for technically challenging Catheter and Extrusion products for a worldwide market. This new extension will allow us to offer an even more comprehensive design and development service that combined with the addition of sophisticated equipment will enable us to continue to offer a world class service to the global medical device industry”.

The 35,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Carrick-on-Shannon facility includes 12,000 sq. ft. of cleanroom which is required to meet the growing need for diverse braided catheter assemblies, as well as a new area dedicated to thermoplastic extrusion which is recognised as best-in-class for the stringent catheter tubing requirements for today’s demanding requirements within the Medical industry. VistaMed has also developed a dedicated R&D Engineering Laboratory which reinforces VistaMed’s continuing support for innovative design and development projects and further enhances the rapid project “turnaround” times currently experienced by VistaMed’s global customer base.

Tom Kelly, Enterprise Ireland Divisional Manager Manufacturing and Competitiveness, added: “Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to work in partnership with Irish companies to support their plans for growth and help them win new business in global markets. Our focus is on providing client companies like VistaMed with the support they need to expand and internationalise. We look forward to continuing to work with VistaMed as they grow their international business and create employment in Ireland.”