150 highly skilled new jobs to be created in the Galway Gaeltacht

150 new high-skill jobs in the Galway Gaeltacht have been announced today (12/04/2021) by An Spidéal-based Aran Biomedical, a leading biomaterials manufacturer in the medical device sector.

An Údarás na Gaeltachta client company, Aran Biomedical, specialises in the custom design, development and manufacturing of medical implants and in response to growing business demand has revealed plans to increase its workforce by 150 over 3 years with the creation of highly skilled jobs in Production, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain Management.

In addition, the company is planning to treble its manufacturing capacity with the establishment of a new facility in An Spidéal, Co. Galway and it is anticipated that this development will be completed on a phase-by-phase basis, with full completion estimated by mid-2025.

Aran Biomedical (formerly Proxy Biomedical) has been located in An Spidéal since 2008 with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta and has continued to provide highly skilled employment in the Conamara Gaeltacht for the past 13 years.  Through continuous innovation Aran Biomedical has developed a niche biomaterial product and the tireless efforts of the company and its employees has seen exponential development and expansion supporting over 120 jobs currently.

Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D., said:

“I am delighted that Aran Biomedical has announced plans to create 150 jobs in An Spidéal, Co. Galway over the next 3 years.  I would like to congratulate Peter Mulrooney and the entire staff there on the news which will see the company continue to prosper whilst providing valuable sustainable employment in the Galway Gaeltacht. If any evidence were required for the case to support our rural areas and the innovation and success of Aran Biomedical and Údarás na Gaeltachta are the proof of what can be achieved.”

 Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, T.D., also welcomed the announcement and said:

“This is a significant announcement not only for the Conamara Gaeltacht area but nationally also and one which I hope will bring further growth and high-quality employment to the area.  The Gaeltacht is a well-suited home to a substantial number of medical devices companies and we hope that the news of Aran Biomedical’s expansion and opportunities for job creation will be replicated further.”

Peter Mulrooney CEO of Aran Biomedical spoke of the expansion and announcement of 150 new positions:

“We are excited and proud to announce our plans to build a new state of the art facility in An Spidéal and the creation of these new roles. The past 12 months have been significant for Aran, in that we have expanded our customer base and the number of staff on site to over 120, coupled with the official opening of our dedicated braiding centre in December. We have continued to expand our customer base, and the new jobs and facility will allow us to meet our customers ever expanding supply needs in the biomedical textiles field. The support we have received from Údarás na Gaeltachta has been pivotal to our success since moving our manufacturing base to An Spidéal in 2008.”

Anna Ní Ghallachair, Chairperson of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta stated on behalf of the Board:

“On behalf of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, I welcome this announcement and congratulate Aran Biomedical and their staff on their achievements to date. We take great encouragement in following the progress of Aran Biomedical, and these additional jobs in a company whose products are based on innovation and creativity are a vote of confidence in the people of the Conamara Gaeltacht and its immediate hinterland.”

Supporting the announcement Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Chief Executive Officer, Údarás na Gaeltachta said:

“Údarás na Gaeltachta is delighted to welcome Aran Biomedical’s announcement of the expansion of facilities in An Spidéal, Co. Galway and plans to create 150 highly skilled new jobs there over the next 3 years.  The medical devices designed and produced by Aran Biomedical which are shipped all over the world show that Ireland’s Gaeltacht Areas can provide businesses of all types with a perfect base from which to be connected with the world while enjoying world class worklife balance for their employees. The current and potential employment is hugely important to this area and it is hoped that its continued significant investment and high employment will continue in this Gaeltacht area.”