An Irish pharmaceutical company specialising in parasite treatments for pets will hire up to 350 staff over the next five years.
The Chanelle Group announced it was building a new facility at its expansive Galway headquarters, as part of a more than €86m investment in Ireland. Construction of a the new manufacturing facility will begin next year.
Chanelle Group is Ireland’s largest manufacturer of generic medicines for human and animal health, with sales last year in excess of €111 million. The company, founded in 1985, employs more than 500 people and exports its products to 96 countries.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney officially opened a new manufacturing facility at it’s Loughrea site last month. The 30,000 square foot facility, worth €10 million, is Europe’s first dedicated ‘Spot On’ manufacturing facility built to European and US quality standards. Spot On is a topical treatment used to protect dogs and cats against parasites.
“Chanelle Group is one of Ireland’s leading exporters in the manufacture of veterinary and human pharmaceuticals, trading with over 90 countries worldwide,” Mr Coveney said.
“The investment announced today is the largest by owner Michael Burke in the history of the company and through Enterprise Ireland, the government is pleased to support Michael as he grows Chanelle Group and creates valuable employment here in Loughrea.”
Michael Burke, owner and managing director of Chanelle Group, said the company had already invested more than €55 million and created 175 jobs in its global Loughrea headquarters since 2016.
“Over the next five years we will increase the pace of our investment programme, investing €86 million in our operations and creating 350 new jobs, bringing total employment to over 850 people,” he said.
Julie Sinnamon, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, described the Chanelle Group as a “global leader.”
“This investment programme of €86 million is one of the largest investments by any Irish company in the history of Enterprise Ireland and its impact on the local and regional economy will be significant,” she said.
