The new Atlantic MedTech Cluster officially launched in Sligo this week. The Atlantic MedTech Cluster includes eight Irish MedTech specialist companies that are all based in the North West, including SL Controls.
The other companies involved are Arrotek, ATS, iNBLEX Plastics, Pharma Stainless, Tool & Gauge, Verus Precision, and Ward Automation. Together these companies have an annual turnover of €33m and employ almost 300 people.
The cluster was set up under Enterprise Ireland’s Cluster Programme. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said the programme encourages groups of businesses to collaborate. This helps to “achieve specific objectives, improve competitive advantage, and ultimately, create jobs”.
Minister Humphreys said: “The Atlantic MedTech Cluster is an excellent example of what can be achieved under this initiative. Its eight members are already establishing an international presence under this unified structure and I wish the Cluster continued success.”
Global Centre of Excellence
The Atlantic MedTech Cluster promotes Ireland – and the North West specifically – as a global centre of excellence in the MedTech industry. It gives clients from around the world easy access to some of Ireland’s leading MedTech service providers. This creates collaboration opportunities which can streamline project management and delivery.
Keith Moran, SL Controls’ Managing Director, was at the launch event. He said: “The MedTech industry is important to Ireland’s economy, with 18 of the world’s top 25 companies in the industry having an operation here. Ireland is also the second largest MedTech employer in Europe.
“The North West is already a leader in the MedTech industry, and the Atlantic MedTech Cluster will grow the sector further, creating new jobs and opportunities.”