Central Pharma is to establish a packaging and supply centre at the IDA’s Advanced Technology Building in Tralee, with the promise of creating 100 jobs in the next five years.

The company, based in Bedford, is outsource partner to a range of global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. It offers services such as primary filling and secondary packing, serialisation and aggregation to meet standards such as the EU’s Falsified Medicines Directive, QP release to client/market, warehousing, controlled drug storage, regulatory support and supply chain services.

The new Tralee facility (pictured) will be EMEA accredited and is being part-funded by Irish taxpayers through grant aid from IDA Ireland. 

Chief executive Alwyn Smit said: “Post Brexi, Ireland offers a stable environment from which to service our European customer base. We are very excited to establish a best in class operation here as a part of IT Tralee. 

“The fact that the site is adjacent to a University that has a STEM faculty played a major role in our decision to come here as did the availability of the property itself — IDA’s Advanced Technology Building is an excellent turnkey property solution which is ideal for us.

In Association with

IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan  commented: “The project is a significant investment for Tralee, Kerry and the South West region which will benefit the local economy and create a substantial number of jobs. It will add significantly to the life sciences cluster in the region and act as an excellent reference seller for IDA for further investment into the region.”

Central Pharma handles products supplied to over 60 countries, and employs 160 people at its Bedford site. Pharmaceutical products are imported there, qualified by release testing in controlled laboratories, before being released to markets by Central Pharma QPs.

Particularly in the case of a no-deal Brexit, the company will need an alternative EU base so it can continue to import and distribute within the EU. 

• For information on careers at Central Pharma in Tralee,  email ASmit@central-pharma.com