ISOTRON, the Tullamore company which sterilises medical equipment, is to invest £1 million in a new plant. The company will increase its current 25 strong workforce to around 30. The company, which employs mainly third level graduates, sterilises medical equipment for leading companies, including Sherwood Medical, Boston Scientific and Allergan.

In Britain and Ireland it employs 129 people. It has five sites in the UK which offer similar services. Its most recent results - interims for the six months to December 31st last - showed group turnover up 21 per cent to £5.57 million, compared to £4.59 million for the same period in 1995. Group operating profit rose 32 per cent to £2.04 million and pre tax profits were up 30 per cent to £2.18 million.