Green light for major expansion at Zoetis plant in Tullamore
Offaly County Council planners have given the go-ahead for an expansion that is due to result in the workforce at Zoetis in Tullamore more than doubling in the coming years.
The multinational animal medicines firm was granted planning approval last Friday for a €133 million investment that will involve the development of a new 8,500 square metre manufacturing building at its facility in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Srah.
Ninety people are currently employed by Zoetis in Tullamore, but the company said it expects to add 100 additional staff in the coming years.
A representative of Zoetis this week welcomed the county council's planning decision.
"This is good news as the expansion will strengthen our global manufacturing and supply network to meet customer demand," the company spokesperson told the Offaly Independent on Wednesday.
The company is aiming to begin construction at the local site in the early part of this year.
The planning application anticipated that the construction process would take 18 to 20 months to complete, and would require the employment of around 540 construction workers at the peak of the project.
The new manufacturing building will be used to increase production of monoclonal antibodies, which are used to target specific diseases and conditions in pets.
Zoetis is also planning to add 152 permanent car parking spaces, bringing parking at its site up to 182 permanent spaces.
When the expansion plan was first announced last autumn, the company said it would help strengthen its presence in Offaly.
"We have had great success with the current high-quality manufacturing site and the experienced workforce already operating (in Tullamore)," said Roman Trawicki, Zoetis Executive Vice President and President of Global Manufacturing and Supply.
"We look forward to bringing new high value jobs to Tullamore and continuing to play an active role in the social and economic life of the Midlands region."
Conor O'Dea, who leads the Zoetis Tullamore site, said the expansion would transform it into 'a factory of the future'.
"With world-class technology, utilising the latest single use bioreactors, it will offer current and future employees tremendous experience and career opportunities," he commented.
"This latest investment in Tullamore demonstrates our determination to lead the animal health industry in the development and commercialisation of monoclonal antibody therapies in areas of high medical need.
"It will also help sustain our leadership in chronic pain management for companion animals."
The expansion plan was welcomed by the Government when the details first emerged last year.
Westmeath Minister of State Robert Troy said he was delighted that Zoetis was looking to expand its "already impressive operation" in Tullamore.
"This is a very welcome announcement for the local and wider Midlands region and demonstrates that the Midlands has the skills, talent, people, and connectivity that will enable companies like Zoetis to embed and grow their operations here," he said.