80 new jobs created by Mayo firm's €10m. investment

Eighty new jobs have been created as a result of Fort Wayne Metals building a new 45,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility at Castlebar.

The jobs wil be filled over thd next five years.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar performed the official opening of new facility at Breaffy Road in the county town.

The project is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.

Founded in 1970, Fort Wayne Metals is a leading manufacturer of medical materials, producing precision wire and components for all types of medical devices.

The company’s materials are used in guidewires, stents, embolic filters, pacemaker leads, neurostimulation leads, endoscopy, orthopaedic devices, and more.

Fort Wayne Metals Ireland commenced operations in Castlebar in 2002 and now employs 95 staff.

The company manufactures products for medical device companies in Ireland, Europe and Asia.

The parent company headquartered in Indiana, USA, is a privately held company with twelve manufacturing plants.

Fort Wayne Metals Ireland is the corporation’s only manufacturing facility outside the United States.

This €10 million expansion represents the next stage of growth for the company with its product diversification strategy focused on the manufacture and supply of specialty alloys such as nitinol.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Fort Wayne Metals is very well established in Castlebar, having first set up operations here 17 years ago. This major investment shows the company is committed for the long term.

"Essential components for medical devices which can improve and save lives are manufactured here and sold around the world.

“Congratulations to the local staff and management team who will be joined by 80 new employees over the next five years. The government, through IDA Ireland, will continue to work with Fort Wayne as the company expands in the years ahead.”

The CEO of Fort Wayne Metals, Scott Glaze, said: “This expansion is a testament to the hard work and talent of our Irish employees.

"Their expertise and dedication have been fundamental to the growth of Fort Wayne Metals Ireland, and I have every confidence that they will be successful as they take on the challenges of manufacturing precision nitinol wire for our customers around the world.”

The managing director at the Castlebar plant, Michael O’Donnell, thanked the IDA for its continuous support over the years.

He applauded MVS Ltd, the local construction company that built the new facility, for their excellence and for completing the project on schedule.

IDA Ireland executive director Mary Buckley congratulated the company on its expansion.

“Fort Wayne Metals is a valued member of the supply ecosystem that is all important in supporting the Med. Tech. sector.

“This further expansion by the company is excellent news and demonstrates a strong commitment from the parent company to the Castlebar site.

"It’s also a strong endorsement of Castlebar and the region as a great location for other similar type medical device business.

“The 80 new jobs being created will have a substantial beneficial impact on the local economy in Mayo and the wider west region. I wish Scott, Michael and their team continued success in Castlebar,” she stated