Allergan opens new €160m facility at Westport campus

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS Minister for Community and Rural Affairs, Michael Ring, TD, cuts the ribbon on he new €160 million biologics plant at Allergan, alongside Wayne Swanton, Executive Vice President of Global Operations for Allergan and Paul Coffey, Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Plant General Manager, Allergan, Westport.


Minister Ring officiates at opening on ‘proud day’, as expansion shows company’s commitment to Westport

Michael Duffy

THERE was an air of optimism around the extensive Allergan campus in Westport this afternoon (Tuesday) as a new €160 million biologics plant was officially opened, with the creation of 63 jobs.
Showing their commitment to future operations in the west Mayo town, Wayne Swanton, Executive Vice President of Global Operations for Allergan, travelled from the US for the event, along with fellow global Allergan executives.
However, the honour of officially opening the new facility fell to local Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Michael Ring, who issued a heartfelt welcome to all the Allergan team at a special launch event in Knockranny House Hotel.
“Speaking as someone from Westport, Allergan has had a remarkably positive impact on the town and on the region. This announcement is further evidence of how the west can provide a wonderful environment for investors and employers and it is a proud day for everyone connected with Allergan,” said Minister Ring to the large gathering. Over 40 international journalists from the US, Asia and Europe flew into Ireland on Monday and had to brave the snowy weather conditions on their trip from Dublin to Westport on Monday evening to attend the event.
“This announcement will result directly in 63 new jobs for people in Mayo. This means more people being able to live in their own communities and not having to relocate or commute longer distances for work,” added the Minister, who was introduced on stage by Paul Coffey, Vice President, Global Manufacturing, and site lead at the Westport plant.
Mr Swanton then addressed the audience and was fulsome in his praise for the very important work that takes place by all the employees at Allergan in Westport.
“Our work obviously needs substantial investment but it also requires a world class team, in order to be able to execute on the preciseness that is required to manufacture biologics, and especially Botox. We are very proud to say that we developed this world-class brand, with a world-class team, right here in Westport. These are 1,300 people who make a difference in the lives of our patients everyday,” said Mr Swanton.
Paul Coffey then went on to give an extensive timeline of the growth and development of Allergan in Westport, which opened on a greenfield IDA site in 1977, with just 25 employees.  The company now employ over 1,300 people in Westport, and over 2,000 in Ireland.
All those in attendance at the launch were then transported by coach from Knockranny House Hotel to Allergan, where Minister Ring performed the ribbon cutting duties at the new Biologics 2 (B2) facility.
Those in attendance were then split into five different groups and brought on an extensive 40- minute tour of the Allergan campus, before enjoying lunch in the adjoining Ron Taylor Centre, which has been built along aside the B2 facility.

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See a full report on the Allergan expansion in next week’s Mayo News.