€5m investment by Chanelle Pharma in Ballinasloe is testimony to founder Michael Burke’s vision and determination.
Chanelle Pharma is to create 60 new jobs in Ballinsasloe, Co Galway, over the next five years.
The company is expanding its distribution and manufacturing operations in Ireland and will include a new manufacturing facility in Loughrea in the expansion.
“Our future delivery pipeline is extensive and we are continuing to invest in and improve our manufacturing operations to further increase our delivery performance to our customers”
Chanelle Pharma employs 570 people at its corporate headquarters in Loughrea and has offices and warehouses in Oranmore, Co Galway.
Powering through the pandemic
Initially, the company will relocate its Chanelle Pet distribution business from Loughrea to IDA Ireland’s Business and Technology Park in Ballinasloe. Chanelle Pet is Ireland’s leading pet food and pet accessories distributor, servicing pet, retail, veterinary and co-op markets in Ireland and the UK. It was recently named Pet Supplier of the Year by Tesco Ireland.
“It is a testament to everyone in our company that no production days were lost throughout the pandemic.”
The €5m investment by Chanelle Pharma in Ballinasloe will also see the company invest in warehousing and new manufacturing operations at the 65,000 sq ft facility. Chanelle Pharma will also convert the existing Chanelle Pet premises in Loughrea to a new 35,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
Chanelle Pharma, which is privately owned by its founder Michael Burke, is Ireland’s largest manufacturer of generic medicines for human and animal health, achieving sales of over €149 million to 30th April 2021, an 11% increase year-on-year. All growth is organic and the company has continually grown its business each year since 1985.
“Chanelle Pharma continues to grow and our Loughrea HQ is now at capacity,” Burke said. “Despite the global pandemic we continue to see strong market demand for both our animal and human health products.
“Our future delivery pipeline is extensive and we are continuing to invest in and improve our manufacturing operations to further increase our delivery performance to our customers.
“We are delighted to make this investment in Ballinasloe and we look forward to making a positive contribution to the local economy and community,” Burke said.
The expansion was welcomed by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, TD, who said: “This is a real boost to the local community and further evidence of the attractiveness of Ballinasloe as a place to invest. Congratulations to Michael Burke and the Chanelle Pharma team and the very best of luck with this exciting development.”
Chanelle Pharma exports to 96 countries and supplies 10 of the top 12 human generic multinational companies in the world and 10 of the top 12 animal health multinational companies globally.
“In the course of a remarkable career, Michael Burke has built a truly world class company in veterinary and human pharmaceuticals,” said Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
“The company’s purpose-built facilities located on its Loughrea campus are a testimony to his vision and determination.
“Chanelle’s continued growth, driven through sustained investment in Research and Development, has generated hundreds of jobs for people in East Galway and beyond. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to see this further expansion of the company into Ballinasloe, a town that boasts a rich heritage of enterprise, and I wish Michael, his management team and all of the people in Chanelle, every success in this new chapter of their journey.”
Chanelle Pharma holds over 1,900 product licences for human health products worldwide and 3,500 product licences for animal health. Key markets include the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, the Middle East and the USA.
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan also welcomed the expansion. “IDA’s Property team have worked closely with our colleagues in Enterprise Ireland and Chanelle Pharma to secure this investment for the IDA Ireland’s Business & Technology Park in Ballinasloe. Winning jobs and investment in regional locations is central to IDA Ireland’s strategy.”
Burke said Chanelle Pharma had no downtime as a result of Covid-19 due to the strict health and safety measures put in place. “We made extensive changes to our operations and all our employees bought into a zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19. It is a testament to everyone in our company that no production days were lost throughout the pandemic.
“This success is reflected in the strong pipeline for R&D pipeline also in of future orders from customers in Ireland and internationally,” Burke said.
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 28 May 2021
