By Business & Finance Seán Sherlock TD, Minister for Research and Innovation, today officiated at an event to formally switch on Johnson & Johnson’s two wind turbines in Cork’s lower harbour, which will support the DePuy Synthes and Janssen Biologics manufacturing operations. The wind turbines will reduce environmental impacts, boost competitiveness and lower energy costs by as much as 30% at both sites.
This follows a series of recent announcements by Johnson & Johnson in Ireland including the investment of €80m and the creation of 270 jobs at the company’s new Ethicon Biosurgery manufacturing facility in Limerick in April.
Welcoming the wind turbine initiative, Minister Sherlock said: “I congratulate Johnson & Johnson for its leadership in the sustainable energy sector. This investment sends a strong message to headquarters that the Cork plants are serious about reducing costs while maintaining competitiveness. Wind energy will safeguard jobs, provide security of energy supply, help Ireland meet its EU carbon reduction targets and reduce our dependence on expensive fossil fuels.”
Speaking on behalf of Johnson & Johnson, Willem Appelo, VP, Supply Chain, Global Orthopaedics Group said: “We pay tribute to the great work of our employees in Ireland and are grateful for the support of IDA Ireland and the local communities in Cork. As the world’s largest health care company, all of us at Johnson & Johnson recognise the critical interdependence between human health and the health of our planet. We are committed to minimising environmental impacts across our operations.”
Commenting on the initiative Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “This is the culmination of several years of working with the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group on this ground breaking project. Johnson and Johnson maintains the highest environmental and energy efficiency standards anywhere in the world, and I am delighted that IDA Ireland could play its part in helping to make this project become a reality.
“It is also testament to the close cooperation that exists between IDA Ireland and SEAI in helping multinational companies enhance their energy efficiency. The unique experience that SEAI brings is critical in facilitating IDA Ireland clients to identify and implement sound initiatives to reduce energy consumption and enhance cost competitiveness.”
The wind turbine project is the outcome of an unique collaboration between Johnson & Johnson, GSK and Novartis – the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group. Collectively, the four companies are responsible for the employment of over 4,000 people in Ireland and have invested more than €2bn in the Cork area over the last 20 years.
