Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes pictured at the launch with (from left) Nathan Tenzer, engineering, operators, and project management leader; Joseph Nuzzolese, corporate vice president, global supply chain and Dr John Mc Grath, corporate vice president, quality, clinical, regulatory, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation.

“The decision by Edwards Lifesciences Corporation to set up its first European presence in Shannon is an endorsement of the Mid-West’s attractiveness as a multi-sectoral location, and for manufacturing. It also demonstrates that when the strengths accruing to Ireland are presented in an informatively comprehensive manner, as done by IDA Ireland in this instance, Ireland can win high-value mobile investment. Today is a great-news day for Shannon and the Mid-West region in terms of employment and technology acquisition,” said Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes.

“To have the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring sit alongside the most recent arrival to Shannon, Jaguar Land Rover, a leader in the development of technology for autonomous cars, and join a long list of household names in a diverse range of sectors already operating from Shannon, highlights the importance of continually improving our operational infrastructure to accommodate the ever-changing needs of these technologically driven companies.

“As stated at today’s launch in Shannon, the knock-on effect of today’s announcement on the region will be immense, particularly when Edwards Lifesciences rolls out its full complement of 600 employees by 2020.

“Shannon Chamber, for its part, looks forward to working closely with the company’s team as it embeds itself in Shannon over the coming months and to demonstrating the tremendous collaboration that exists between companies, and across sectors. Having a new life sciences company in our midst is a tremendous boost,” added Ms Downes.