Amgen halts plans for Ireland manufacturing facility

Amgen announced today that it has postponed indefinitely its plans to design and construct a bulk manufacturing facility in County Cork.

The decision was made following an updated review of its business plans and continuous assessment of the ever-changing business environment.

Amgen has stopped all current activities on the site in cooperation with the government and other stakeholders however the company has stated that it will maintain ownership of the location.

Up to 79 staff, 65 based in Cork, will be affected by the decision with Amgen insisting that it will work with staff to outline possibilities of relocation into other parts of the company.

Mark Sawyer, general manager and vice president of operations, Amgen Technology Ireland, declared his disappointment over the development but insisted that it was a global issue rather than particular to Amgen’s commitments in Ireland.

“This decision is based purely on developments relating to Amgen’s global business and is in no way reflective of the business environment in Ireland or of the high calibre staff we have hired.”

Earlier this year, Amgen announced a strategic restructuring of the firm, implementing a planned reduction in staff of around 12-14 per cent, equivalent to 2,200-2,600 employees.