Becton Dickinson in Drogheda to close after 60 years

Employees were called to a meeting this morning in the City North Hotel. 

Becton Dickinson in Drogheda is to close after 60 years in business 

Employees were called to a meeting this morning in the City North Hotel. 

The employees were told that the global medical technology firm in Drogheda will close on a 2 phase basis over the next 30 months. 

It’s estimated that around 200 jobs will be lost following the decision.

BD had recently opened a new €4m research and development facility in Blackrock, in Dublin.

They also announced a further €3m investment to expand an existing manufacturing facility in Enniscorthy, Wexford, with a further 85 new jobs created there.

Becton Dickinson gave the following statement to LMFM News: 

“BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) continuously reviews its global manufacturing and supply chain network to ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible. As a result of a recent review, a decision has been taken to gradually wind down operations at BD’s Drogheda plant over the next two and a half years. This will unfortunately potentially result in the loss of around 200 jobs. Whilst we understand that this will be difficult news for employees working at the plant, this decision is not a reflection of their work. As a responsible business, we have to ensure that all of our operations are efficient and that our resources are allocated in the most effective manner possible. 

“BD remains committed to Ireland, and there will be no impact on any of BD’s other Irish sites as a result of this decision. In addition, BD is committed to working closely with the IDA in the months and years ahead, with a shared goal to find a new owner for the site that can transition the facility to its own manufacturing needs.”

SIPTU calls for Government intervention following shock BD closure announcement 

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 3^rd July) called for an immediate Government intervention to protect the local economy in county Louth, following the announcement that Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) intends to close its plant in Drogheda in 2026 with the loss of approximately 200 jobs.

SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said: “SIPTU representatives will immediately engage with the employer to attempt to save as many jobs as possible. BD has provided quality employment for decades in the county Louth area. The announcement of the plant’s proposed closure is a devastating blow to workers, their families and the wider community.

“All stakeholders, including the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke and the IDA must get around the table with us to work on how we can save or attract quality jobs for Drogheda and the surrounding area.”

He added: “SIPTU will not accept anything less than concentrated and swift Government intervention to ensure an IDA-backed manufacturing company remains in this area. We cannot allow a situation where the skills of our members in BD and the infrastructure that is in place already is allowed to go to the wall while the Government sits on its hands.”

Responding to the news, Louth Labour TD Ged Nash slammed the decision saying: 

“This is devastating news for 200 loyal workers and their families. It is also a massive blow for Drogheda.

Drogheda is Ireland’s largest town. It will now lose it’s only large-scale IDA-backed manufacturing company.

This government and its agencies are asleep at the wheel when it comes to investment in Drogheda.

It is easier to work to retain jobs than create them. The question for this government and the IDA is – when did you know about B-D’s plans, and what have you done to keep these jobs in Drogheda?

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail seems content to see Drogheda, with already enormous rates of commuting to Dublin, become an effective dormitory town to supply the city with workers.

Drogheda’s location, skills and infrastructure should make it an ideal location for jobs investment yet all we are treated to is patronising lip-service from this government.

This government must now set up an expert-led enterprise task force to address the question of investment in Drogheda to avoid our area becoming a foreign direct-investment backwater.”