Medical supply centre of excellence to be established in Co Down

A medical supply centre of excellence is to be established in Co Down.

Eakin Healthcare, with the support of Invest NI, has announced an investment of £19 million to establish the centre at its headquarters in Comber.

The family-owned business specialises in the manufacture and supply of medical devices for ostomy, wound, respiratory and surgical needs.

Their products are available in more than 60 countries, and it has employees spanning nine countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan.

The new centre will enable Eakin Healthcare to add pilot lines including skin friendly medical adhesives and the creation of the next generation of ostomy pouches.

Padraic Dempsey, chief executive of Eakin Healthcare, said the new centre will help them develop life-enhancing products.

“The patient has always been at the heart of everything we do. As we have an aging population with more chronic conditions, our purpose continues to be ensuring that we help people to live as normal a life as possible,” he said.

“Our new centre of excellence will support us to achieve this by developing life-enhancing products which will support people who have had stoma surgery globally to lead a life with confidence and dignity for many years to come.

“We are extremely grateful to Invest NI for its partnership and support.”

Dr Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research and development at Invest Northern Ireland, described Eakin as a “homegrown pioneer in ostomy healthcare, while simultaneously enhancing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global centre of innovation in engineering and healthcare”.

“It’s also great to see this investment supporting the creation of up to 16 new roles within the company’s research and development, operation and commercial teams at its Comber facility,” she said.

“The economic benefits of research and development within key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and life and health sciences are recognised within the Department for the Economy’s 10x Vision.

“As we seek to grow our local economy, investments such as this are vital.”

Invest NI’s research and development support is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014–2020) Programme.