RTÉ in Ireland reported that BD (NYSE:BDX) intends to close a manufacturing plant in Drogheda, resulting in around 170 job cuts.
The report says the company plans to wind down operations at the Drogheda site over the next two-and-a-half years. This follows a 60-person workforce reduction at the Drogheda site about a year ago. According to RTÉ, those cuts are included in the 170-person figure presented now. (RTÉ set the figure at around 200 employees. A BD spokesperson said the decision affects around 170 employees).
BD attributed those cuts to a combination of factors, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the spinoff of Embecta, its former diabetes business. The company said at the time that it planned for the reduction to take place over 15 months, right-sizing manufacturing operations with “today’s realities.”
(MassDevice continues tracking layoffs around the industry — read about them here).
Now, however, following a review of its manufacturing and supply chain network, BD elected to close the plant. The report said the phased closure includes around 110 job cuts set to commence next March. The remaining cuts would take place between then and September 2026.
According to the company’s website, the Drogheda site manufactured products for oncology, interventional radiology and critical care. When it announced a €62 million investment there in 2021, BD said it wanted to expand production of PosiFlush syringes, too.
RTÉ’s report said the company issued a statement saying it seeks to ensure efficient operations and effectively allocated resources. BD also said it plans to work with IDA Ireland, the government’s foreign direct investment arm, to find a new owner for the Drogheda site.
BD continues to operate in Ireland, including at sites in Dublin and Wexford where it recently added significant investments. Read more about the medtech industry’s investment in Ireland HERE.
Full statement from BD
A spokesperson from BD issued the following statement to MassDevice via email:
“BD continuously reviews its global manufacturing and supply chain network to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible. As a result of a recent review, a decision has been made to gradually wind down operations at BD’s Drogheda plant over the next two and a half years. This will unfortunately potentially result in the loss of around 170 jobs. Whilst we understand that this will be difficult news for employees working at the plant, this decision is not a reflection of their work. As a responsible business, we have to ensure that all of our operations are efficient and that our resources are allocated in the most effective manner possible.
BD remains committed to Ireland, and there will be no impact on any of BD’s other Irish sites as a result of this decision. In addition, BD is committed to working closely with the IDA Ireland in the months and years ahead, with a shared goal to find a new owner for the site that can transition the facility to its own manufacturing needs.”