Deirdre O Meara 
Planning permission has already been granted for the expansion, which is expected to bolster Gilead’s role as a central master distributor in its global supply chain.
The new 5,176 sq m warehouse will feature more than 700 solar panels, enabling Gilead to expand its site without increasing carbon emissions. With the addition of the new panels, the Carrigtwohill base will be powered by solar energy to the tune of 10% of its total energy requirements.
David Cadogan, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, said: “This investment reinforces Gilead’s commitment to Ireland and will significantly expand storage capacity in Carrigtwohill, which is currently responsible for 30% of all of Gilead’s solid oral drug production.”
Gilead’s expansion in Cork is just the latest investment in the country. The company has operated in Ireland since 1999 and now employs more than 500 people across four sites in Dublin and Cork, making it Gilead’s second-largest presence in the EU.
The new facility is expected to house up to 5,800 pallet spaces, as well as additional storage capacity for raw materials and finished goods. Construction is set to begin next month and should be completed in just over 18 months.
Mr Cadogan added that the investment in Cork will “facilitate additional future investment in our manufacturing and packaging capabilities in Ireland as we look to support an expanded Gilead’s product portfolio in the years ahead.”
In addition to the Cork expansion, Gilead also announced that its new paediatric centre in Dublin was the first near-zero energy business in the city. The company has invested a total of €250m in Ireland to date, with today’s announcement bringing that figure closer to €300m.
The expansion of Gilead’s Cork base comes after the company invested €9.5m into the Carrigtwohill site in 2021, which went towards an extension in the base’s quality control lab. With the planned expansion, Gilead’s capital investment in Ireland is expected to reach €300m.
Gilead’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its investment in solar energy, which is expected to provide 10% of the total energy needed for the Carrigtwohill base. This is a significant step towards reducing the company’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
Gilead’s expansion in Cork is also expected to facilitate future investment in the company’s manufacturing and packaging capabilities in Ireland.
This will likely result in job creation and economic growth in the region, further solidifying Gilead’s position as an important contributor to Ireland’s biopharmaceutical industry.
Overall, Gilead’s investment in its Cork manufacturing base is a positive development for both the company and the region. With the expansion set to take just over 18 months to complete, it will be exciting to see the benefits that Gilead’s continued commitment to Ireland will bring in the coming years.
