Almac: new £80m investment providing more than 550 jobs
Craigavon-based pharmaceutical giant building extensive lab facilities
An investment programme worth £80m was announced today for Craigavon-based global pharma company Almac.
The plan will include new "extensive manufacturing, production and diagnostic laboratory facilities."
More than 550 jobs will be created in the initial building programme with the creation of 1,000 posts in Northern Ireland over three years.
The first of the projects is a 100,000ft2 state-of-the-art multi-product Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility for Almac Pharma Services.
This Centre of Excellence for manufacturing will house a custom designed dispensary area, multiple production suites, process equipment wash facilities and a lineside warehouse for ambient, refrigerated and frozen storage.
The facility, which will be operational from the third quarter of 2024, will expand Almac Pharma Services’ existing manufacturing capabilities and offers additional capacity for further strategic production contracts. The high-specification production suites have been designed with flexibility and a wide range of uses in mind which offers opportunities for clients to install bespoke technology specific to their individual needs.
The second project is a 40,000 ft2 four-storey diagnostic development and manufacturing centre for Almac Diagnostic Services which will be completed early next year.
The new facility will enable Almac Diagnostic Services to expand its assay development offering and to manufacture and distribute Companion Diagnostic (CDx) kits on a commercial scale to support growing client demand.
Alan Armstrong, Chief Executive of Almac Group said: “Almac is committed to re-investing all our profit back into the business.
“This £80 million expansion and the creation of 550 new, highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland will ensure that we remain the global leaders in our industry, giving our clients and ultimately patients across the world who benefit from these therapeutics, the best possible offering from Almac.”
These projects have been supported by Invest Northern Ireland who have welcomed the development and ongoing expansion of the Almac Group.
Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Growth Group, Invest Northern Ireland said: “Almac’s commitment to innovation and excellence has positioned it as a cornerstone of our region’s Life & Health Sciences success story and supported it to build a world-renowned reputation for ground-breaking work in the global pharmaceutical industry.
“We are delighted to support this investment which is creating hundreds of employment opportunities in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area and will bolster Northern Ireland’s reputation as a hub for pharma and diagnostic development. We commend Almac’s dedication and vision and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact this investment will have on Northern Ireland’s economy and the advancement of life changing medicines.”