Wasdell to open new 'futureproof' facility in Ireland

New facility to carry out EU release testing ensuring continuous supply for customers regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

The 90,000 sq. ft facility will allow Wasdell to offer quality control (QC) import testing for pharmaceutical products, as well as a variety of current and novel packaging technologies. It will also boost its storage and distribution services outside of the UK.

The facility will also futureproof the company’s operations in the event of a hard Brexit when the UK exits the European Union (EU) in March 2019. By giving Wasdell a foothold in Ireland, it will be able to carry out EU release testing ensuring continuous supply for customers regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

Martin Tedham, CEO at The Wasdell Group said: “With our new facility, we are not only increasing our packaging and analytical testing capacity to better service new and future customers, but with Brexit on the horizon, we are ensuring challenges and costs are minimised by preparing for every eventuality.

”This investment will provide our customers with a robust contingency plan, protecting critical supply chains and ensuring continuous supply of pharmaceutical products post-March 2019.

Almost 75% of our current turnover is export business and as our customer base is continuing to grow significantly in the US, this facility will allow Wasdell to remain a secure stepping stone into the European market.

”In addition, the company has experienced growth in the Irish market over the past four years making the country a logical choice for our latest expansion.”

The Dundalk facility is the latest phase in Wasdell’s investment plan to increase capability and capacity and follows the announcement of its new £500K microbiological and analytical laboratory at its Newcastle, UK, site. The company’s ongoing expansion plan will benefit over 120 of its current customers.

Martin Tedham continued: ”The facility also demonstrates our investment into the future of Wasdell, strengthening and preparing the company for forecasted growth. And, as a growing pharmaceutical hub, Ireland also offers an abundance of local talent from a recruitment perspective with strong universities that will be right on our doorstep.”

Building work on the site, which is expected to fully operational by spring 2019, began in August 2018. The new facility is expected to create around 800 jobs ranging from senior management to roles across operations, quality, technical, commercial, financial, warehousing, laboratory and production.

The Wasdell Group is also planning to build an additional facility close to the Dundalk site to expand its distribution offering.