Pharma firm planning 60 new jobs as part of €5m investment in Ballinasloe
A Galway-based pharmaceutical company intends to create 60 new jobs in Ballinasloe over the next five years as it expands its distribution and manufacturing operations.
Chanelle Pharma, which has its headquarters in Loughrea, is planning to open a facility at the former Aptar premises which closed last year in the IDA's Business and Technology Park in Ballinasloe.
The company has a focus on human and animal health pharma products. It's understood that, initially, it will relocate its Chanelle Pet distribution business from Loughrea to Ballinasloe. It also intends to invest in warehousing and new manufacturing operations at the 65,000 sq ft former Aptar facility.
In Loughrea, Chanelle Pharma is to convert the existing Chanelle Pet premises to a new 35,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy described the announcement as "absolutely fantastic news" for Ballinasloe.
"I have long highlighted the fact that Ballinasloe has lacked serious investment and employment over the years, and the area has suffered.
"Ballinasloe has so much potential and Chanelle Pharma has sounded a terrific vote of confidence in the town with this fantastic announcement.
"This is a €5 million investment and will result in 60 new jobs over the next five years which is most welcome particularly after the difficult year we have just experienced."
The announcement was also warmly welcomed by Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan,
"Chanelle is in the midst of expansion with hundreds of employees. It is the largest indigenous based Irish manufacturer of human and animal health pharma products. It exports to over 90 countries and recently doubled capacity.
"They will move Chanelle Pet section of the business to the former Aptar premises with over 65,000 sq ft capacity.
"Ballinasloe is an exciting location on the M6 motorway an hour and a half to Dublin airport and now less than 20 minutes from the new Shannon TÚS Technological University in Athlone.
"With highly qualified graduates in pharma and healthcare, people can also upskill with options of full-time, part-time and online courses at this new university.
"It is also the newest town in Ireland, after a multi-million euro investment in the recently completed Town Enhancement Scheme," said Senator Dolan.