Freudenberg Medical making its medtech mark in Ireland

GALWAY, Ireland—Certain industries have their own geographic hotspots, and the medical technology space is thriving in Western Ireland.

As such, Freudenberg Medical, a business unit of the $12.2 billion Freudenberg Group, is not missing its chance to invest in the medtech hub, expanding its facilities and announcing plans to add 350 jobs at sites in County Leitrim and County Galway.

For its investments in these communities, Freudenberg Medical was awarded 'Medtech Company of the Year' and 'Medtech Partner/Supplier of the Year' at the prestigious Irish Medtech Awards Dec. 5.

The awards program is organized by the Irish Medtech Association, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

"We are truly honored to receive these prestigious awards from the Irish medtech community," Freudenberg Medical CEO Mark Ostwald said in a statement. "This recognition reflects the exceptional dedication, innovation and expertise of our Irish teams, who have built world-class operations at the heart of Ireland's medtech hub. This milestone highlights the reputation our Irish teams have earned as trusted partners in delivering complex catheter solutions to the world's leading medical device companies. Congratulations to our entire Irish team for winning these well-deserved awards."

Freudenberg Medical also conducts design-for-manufacturing services in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Costa Rica.

Freudenberg has more than 1,000 employees in Ireland between locations in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim and Galway. In aggregate, the locations comprise more than 200,000 square feet.

The company recently celebrated the opening of its expanded facility in Carrick-on-Shannon, which expects to increase staffing levels there to 950 employees by 2026.

"This award celebrates the innovative mindset of our teams, from successful customer collaborations to deliver transformative medical devices to our investments in smart manufacturing, VR training and AI-powered planning tools," said Barry Regan, vice president and general manager of Freudenberg Medical's County Leitrim facility. "Our teams are passionate about their responsibility to deliver high-quality products that improve patient care, and this recognition is a testament to their dedication."

In Galway, Freudenberg Medical increased its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent in 2023.

"We sincerely thank the Irish Medtech Association, IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland for this recognition," said Steven Langan, vice president and general manager of Freudenberg Medical's Galway facility. "These awards not only celebrate the accomplishments of our Irish teams but also highlight the strategic importance of Ireland within Freudenberg Medical's global network. The recent expansions at both sites demonstrate our commitment to innovation and excellence in our Irish operations."

Freudenberg Medical's Irish locations produce complex electrophysiology (EP) catheters.