By Business & Finance 
Medical device and healthcare company Abbott has opened a new facility in Kilkenny, which is expected to employ 800 people. Abbott is our FDI of the Month December 2024.
In November 2024, then-Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, and Abbott Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ford, attended the official opening of Abbott’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, Ireland.
The site is a “global manufacturing centre of excellence” for Abbott’s diabetes care business. The new 30,000-square meter Kilkenny facility is producing FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, the latest generation in Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring portfolio for people living with diabetes.
It is expected that Abbott’s new facility will employ 800 people. It is part of a €440 million investment in Ireland, which includes a significant expansion of the company’s Donegal site, where a further 200 jobs are being created.
Speaking at the event, then-Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, said: “Abbott, which has been in Ireland since 1946, is one of the longest-established global companies and largest employers in our country. This latest investment is a further vote of confidence in Ireland as a location for world-class advanced manufacturing and healthcare businesses. With the opening of this new site, Ireland is now at the global centre of diabetes care.”
“This is our latest commitment to providing innovative care and supporting people with diabetes to live healthier lives,” said Robert Ford, Chairman and CEO, Abbott. “The state-of-the-art Kilkenny facility will have the highest production of Libre sensors in the world to help meet the growing global demand for our world-leading2 FreeStyle Libre portfolio. Ireland plays a crucial role in helping Abbott deliver on our purpose, with 10 sites across all four provinces supporting our work in diagnostics, medical devices and nutrition.”
The Kilkenny facility was built with sustainability in mind, says Abbott. The site is fully electric, powered by six air-to-water heat pumps, has nearly 600 solar panels on the roof and features tanks for collecting rainwater to use onsite.
“During its 78-year legacy, Abbott has brought substantial economic and employment benefits to Ireland,” said Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland.”I am delighted to join the company today to celebrate the official opening of its 10th site in Ireland where its FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose monitoring system will be produced. The decision by Abbott to establish in Kilkenny exemplifies IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investments in regional locations. I congratulate the Irish and global teams at Abbott on this investment and wish them every continued success in their operations here.”
