UK-based pharmaceutical contract packaging provider Wasdell Group is set to open a new quality control facility in Dundalk next year following a €30m investment.
Through the proposed 90,000ft² facility, Wasdell will be able to offer quality control (QC) import testing for pharmaceutical products and other packaging technologies.
The facility will also allow the company to strengthen its storage and distribution services outside of the UK.
The decision to open the Dundalk facility was taken to support its operations in the event of a hard Brexit. As well as establishing the company’s presence in Ireland, the location will serve as a hub to undertake EU release testing, ensuring continuity in services for customers.
Wasdell Group CEO Martin Tedham said: “With our new facility, we are not only increasing our packaging and analytical testing capacity to better service new and future customers, but with Brexit on the horizon, we are ensuring challenges and costs are minimised by preparing for every eventuality.
”This investment will provide our customers with a robust contingency plan, protecting critical supply chains and ensuring a continuous supply of pharmaceutical products post-March 2019.
“Almost 75% of our current turnover is export business and as our customer base is continuing to grow significantly in the US, this facility will allow Wasdell to remain a secure stepping stone into the European market.”
The company has been focused on increasing its capability and capacity.
Recently, Wasdell opened a new microbiological and analytical laboratory at its Newcastle site in the UK.
The firm has already commenced construction work on the Dundalk site and expects to create around 800 jobs.
Wasdell has also unveiled plans to build another facility near the Dundalk site to expand its distribution offering.