BD's manufacturing site in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, has marked 30 years in operation. The plant, which makes catheters and balloons used in angioplasty procedures, opened in 1996 with 13 staff and now employs more than 350 people, supplying healthcare providers in over 60 countries, according to IDA Ireland.
The milestone was announced by IDA Ireland on 5 October 2026. James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, joined BD at the site to mark the anniversary, and Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, also welcomed it. No new investment or jobs were announced at the anniversary.
- Company: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), which has operated in Ireland since 1964.
- Site: Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, opened in 1996.
- People: from 13 associates in 1996 to more than 350 employees today.
- Products: catheters and balloons for angioplasty in peripheral and coronary arteries.
- Reach: supplies healthcare providers in more than 60 countries.
- Earlier investment: a EUR 30 million expansion with more than 85 new jobs, announced in June 2023.
What the Enniscorthy plant makes
According to IDA Ireland, BD Enniscorthy "manufactures catheters and balloons used by interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons in angioplasty procedures, supporting treatment across peripheral and coronary arteries." Angioplasty opens narrowed or blocked arteries, and balloon catheters are one of the main tools used to do it, in the heart and in the arteries of the legs and other parts of the body.
That places the site in the vascular intervention segment of medtech, making devices for minimally invasive procedures rather than open surgery.
From 13 staff to more than 350
The site's growth is the headline of the anniversary. "From a small operation employing 13 associates in 1996, BD Enniscorthy has grown into a thriving manufacturing facility employing more than 350 people whose focus on safety and quality in everything they do supply innovative medical technologies to healthcare providers and patients in over 60 countries worldwide," said Gerard Reynolds, Director of Enniscorthy Operations at BD.
"BD Enniscorthy is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of innovation, growth and commitment to improving and saving lives around the world," he said. "Since opening in 1996, the site's success has been built on the dedication, resilience and talent of its people."
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1964 | BD first establishes operations in Ireland |
| 1996 | Enniscorthy site opens with 13 associates |
| June 2023 | EUR 30 million expansion announced, with more than 85 new jobs and about 40,000 sq ft of extra space |
| October 2026 | 30th anniversary; more than 350 employees, products supplied to over 60 countries |
The 2023 expansion
The anniversary follows BD's 2023 decision to grow the site. In June 2023, BD announced a EUR 30 million investment to expand the Enniscorthy plant, creating more than 85 jobs and adding about 40,000 square feet for its Peripheral Intervention business, as reported by Silicon Republic. At the same time it opened a EUR 4 million research and development centre in Blackrock, Dublin. IDA Ireland has not said how many of the 2023 roles have since been filled.
What the ministers and IDA Ireland said
"I am very pleased to join BD here in Enniscorthy on today's 30th anniversary," said Minister James Browne. "For 30 years, the company has been part of the economic fabric of Co. Wexford, supporting skilled careers, local ambition and Ireland's reputation as a place where world-class companies can grow over the long term."
Minister Peter Burke said the anniversary "is a reminder of the importance of long-term FDI to Ireland's national enterprise base. BD's continued investment in this facility, underlines the strategic role of the site within the company's global operations and reflects the confidence that BD continues to place in Ireland as a location for advanced manufacturing, innovation and talent."
Rachel Shelly, Global Head of Life Sciences at IDA Ireland, called the site "an exemplar of the long-term value that global companies create in regional locations across Ireland. Over three decades, the team here has built specialist manufacturing capability, supported high-quality employment and contributed to the strength of Ireland's internationally recognised medtech sector."
Why it matters for regional medtech
Irish medtech is often associated with Galway, Limerick and Dublin. Enniscorthy is a reminder that the sector also anchors employment in smaller towns. A site that has grown from 13 people to more than 350 over three decades, and attracted a EUR 30 million expansion in 2023, gives Co. Wexford a long-term base of skilled manufacturing jobs in quality, engineering and production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does BD make in Enniscorthy?
A: Catheters and balloons used in angioplasty procedures in peripheral and coronary arteries, used by interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons.
Q: How many people work at BD Enniscorthy?
A: More than 350, according to IDA Ireland, up from 13 when the site opened in 1996.
Q: Was new investment announced for the anniversary?
A: No. The anniversary announcement did not include new investment or jobs. The most recent expansion, worth EUR 30 million with more than 85 jobs, was announced in June 2023.
Q: How long has BD been in Ireland?
A: BD first established operations in Ireland in 1964 and operates across multiple locations in the country.
Conclusion and Outlook
Thirty years in, BD Enniscorthy has grown from a 13-person operation into a workforce of more than 350, exporting angioplasty devices to more than 60 countries. The next marker to watch is how the capacity added under the 2023 expansion is used, and whether further investment follows as demand for minimally invasive vascular treatment grows.
Cover image: AI-generated illustration of a medical device cleanroom. It does not show BD's facility, staff or products.
Sources
- IDA Ireland, BD Celebrates 30 Years of innovation and shared prosperity in Enniscorthy, 5 October 2026
- IDA Ireland, BD opens EUR 4 million R&D centre in Dublin, will invest EUR 30 million in Enniscorthy manufacturing plant, June 2023
- Silicon Republic, BD to create 85 jobs in Wexford, 2 June 2023
