Lilly marks one year of growth in Limerick

“IT REALLY feels like we are building something special, and I feel very privileged to be part of the story of Lilly Limerick.”

The words of Dave Riordan, the site lead of Lilly in Raheen, as the first anniversary of building on its state-of-the-art facility took place.

In a move which will bring hundreds of jobs to the area, the biopharmaceutical firm is in the process of building its manufacturing hub on the edge of the Raheen Industrial Estate.

The Lilly site in Raheen is on-track to be fully operational by 2026, Mr Riordan confirmed.

To mark the first anniversary, company bosses held a special event in which local political and business leaders were invited.

There are already 150 permanent staff members on site testing new equipment as construction work continues.

Substantial progress has already been made in laying the foundation and constructing the essential infrastructure on site.

In November, the Lilly corporate brand signage was installed on the building and lit-up.

Some 2,500 construction workers are in attendance at the site each day as the building takes shape, while recruitment is under way for the around 350 permanent staff Lilly will employ locally.

Eamonn Warren, one of the most senior executives at the company - which is headquartered in Indiana - was in Limerick for the first time to see the site progress.

Here, he joined local site boss Mr Riordan.

Mr Warren said: “It has been a great opportunity for me to meet with both the new Lilly team-members and external stakeholders to learn more about what has been accomplished here in the past 12 months.

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“I was very pleased to hear from the elected representatives about the positive impact that Lilly has had on Limerick already and I know that we will continue to build on that in the years ahead.”

Once operational, the Limerick manufacturing site will be a fully integrated digital area with the latest machine automation, manufacturing execution and data technologies designed to ensure product and data quality, and its integrated design will enable manufacturing excellence for the production and delivery of quality medicine.

Mr Riordan added: “The past year has been marked by dedication and teamwork. Already, we have recruited 150 employees, who are the first in what we hope will be a large and welcoming Lilly Limerick family.

“We have celebrated some real milestones – the lighting up of the Lilly sign, the infrastructure that has been put into place that will support the making of medicines and beginning our commitment to the local community through engaging with initiatives like “jumpAgrade” to name but one.

“We are on track to be fully operational within the next three years,” Mr Riordan concluded.