Drogheda is set to lose one of its largest employers as multinational firm BD announced it will close, resulting in the loss of 200 jobs.
Medical device manufacturer BD (Becton Dickinson and Company) decided to wind down operations in Drogheda by the end of 2026 after it reviewed its supply chain and manufacturing operations.
“It is hugely disappointing news as the company has provided significant employment in Drogheda,” said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke.
Mr Burke said the Government are looking into ways to minimise the impact on employees and that a “full range of state supports” will be made available to staff at the facility.
BD has other operations around Ireland including a site in Limerick, a research and development facility in Dublin and a manufacturing facility in Wexford which received a €30m cash injection last year.
“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,” said a BD spokesperson.
“In addition, BD is committed to working closely with the IDA 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,” they added.
The US multinational has been Drogheda for 60 years and in 2021 it opened a new facility in the area as part of a €62m investment to expand the company’s production of BD PosiFlush syringes.
However the future of BD’s workforce took a dark turn last year after 60 staff were made redundant.
Labour deputy Ged Nash warned government that it runs the risk of making Drogheda a “dormitory town” to supply Dublin city with commuting workers rater than create jobs in the area.
“Drogheda’s location, skills and infrastructure should make it an ideal location for jobs investment,” said Mr Nash.