September 23th 2019 – Castlebar. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD on Friday last performed the official opening of Fort Wayne Metals new 45,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility which will lead to the creation of up to 80 new jobs over five years.
The project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
Founded in 1970, Fort Wayne Metals is a leading manufacturer of medical materials, producing precision wire and components for all types of medical devices. The company’s materials are used in guidewires, stents, embolic filters, pacemaker leads, neurostimulation leads, endoscopy, orthopaedic devices, and more.
Fort Wayne Metals Ireland commenced operations in Castlebar in 2002 and now employs 95 staff. The Company manufactures products for medical device companies in Ireland, Europe and Asia. The parent Company headquartered in Indiana, USA, is a privately held company with twelve manufacturing plants.
Fort Wayne Metals Ireland is the corporation’s only manufacturing facility outside the United States. This €10M expansion represents the next stage of growth for the company with its product diversification strategy focused on the manufacture and supply of specialty alloys such as nitinol.
Speaking at the official opening, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD said: “Fort Wayne Metals is very well established in Castlebar, having first set up operations here 17 years ago. This major investment shows the company is committed for the long term. Essential components for medical devices which can improve and save lives are manufactured here and sold around the world. Congratulations to the local staff and management team who will be joined by 80 new employees over the next 5 years. The Government, through IDA Ireland, will continue to work with Fort Wayne as the company expands in the years ahead.”
“This expansion is a testament to the hard work and talent of our Irish employees. Their expertise and dedication have been fundamental to the growth of Fort Wayne Metals Ireland, and I have every confidence that they will be successful as they take on the challenges of manufacturing precision nitinol wire for our customers around the world.”
CEO of Fort Wayne Metals, Scott Glaze
Managing Director at the Castlebar plant, Michael O’Donnell thanked the IDA for its continuous support over the years. He applauded MVS Ltd, the local construction company that built the new facility, for their excellence and for completing the project on schedule.
IDA Ireland Executive Director Mary Buckley congratulated the company on its expansion saying: “Fort Wayne Metals is a valued member of the supply ecosystem that is all important in supporting the Med Tech sector. This further expansion by the company is excellent news and demonstrates a strong commitment from the parent company to the Castlebar site. It’s also a strong endorsement of Castlebar and the region as a great location for other similar type medical device business. The 80 new jobs being created will have a substantial beneficial impact on the local economy in Mayo and the wider West Region. I wish Scott, Michael and their team continued success in Castlebar.”
About the company
Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation was originally established in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1970. Today it employs over 1200 personnel and specializes in the transformation of materials including stainless steel, cobalt-chrome, titanium and specialty alloys such as nitinol into fine grade medical wire. The company supplies all of the top OEM medical device manufacturers. Fort Wayne Metals is a privately owned company.