US animal health group Phibro to create 150 jobs in Sligo

A US-headquartered animal health and mineral nutrition company is to create up to 150 jobs in Sligo over the next five years.

Phibro Animal Health plans to establish a biotech facility producing a range of animal health vaccines at the IDA Business Park in Finisklin, Sligo.

The new facility, the company’s first manufacturing plant in Europe, will initially focus on producing Phibro’s vaccines for the treatment of a range of poultry diseases for sales globally. The company hopes eventually to expand production to include vaccines for livestock and aquaculture.

Phibro develops, manufactures and markets a broad line of animal health and nutrition products for poultry, pigs, cattle, dairy and aquaculture customers around the globe.

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Annual sales

The Nasdaq-listed company, which employs more than 1,400 people globally, operates in 65 countries. It recorded $764 million in annual sales last year.

Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, Phibro was founded in 1946.

"The creation of Phibro Ireland marks an important milestone in our development as a leading global player in the animal health biological market," said Jack Bendheim, Phibro's chairman, president and chief executive.

“The winning combination of Phibro’s expertise in the development and manufacture of biological products, the driven and experienced workforce available in the Sligo area, and the strong support of the IDA makes us very excited about the potential of the Sligo facility.”

The news was welcomed by local political and business figures who pointed out that it brings to almost 700 the number of jobs announced for Sligo so far far this year.

Feelgood factor

Aidan Doyle, chief executive of the local chamber of commerce, said that since April, 550 new jobs had been announced for Sligo. He attributed the feelgood factor to the identification of a “valuable skills network” in Sligo and the northwest.

“It’s very important that we keep the momentum going and that in the wake of the Ireland 2040 launch that we continue to bring investment to the regions”, he said.

Local Fine Gael TD and deputy Government chief whip Tony McLoughlin, who made the announcement, said the jobs were exactly what was needed in the region. “They give the entire region a boost and help us to attract home many people who have had to locate elsewhere for skilled work,” he pointed out.

Commitment

Deputy McLoughlin said a number of recent significant job announcements in Sligo underlined the government’s commitment to bringing jobs to the regions.

“This really has been a fantastic few weeks for Sligo, with major job announcements from Abtran, E3Retail, and LiveTiles showing how the county is benefiting from both indigenous and Foreign Direct Investment,” he said.

IDA Ireland’s executive director, Mary Buckley said it was “great news for Sligo and the northwest. She said the IDA was committed to winning investment for regional locations .

The company will be located at the facility in Sligo vacated by Eli Lilly - Elanco in 2016.