Medical devices manufacturer BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has announced the closure of its facility in Drogheda, Co Louth, Ireland, which will result in the loss of approximately 200 jobs, reported RTE.ie.

This closure is expected to take place in 2026 and the total job losses may include 70 redundancies announced last year.

The initial redundancies will involve around 110 workers and are set to begin in March 2025. The remaining job cuts are planned to take place by September 2026.

BD, which has operated in Drogheda for six decades, stated that the closure is a result of a comprehensive review of its worldwide manufacturing and supply chain operations.

This forms part of the company’s broader 2025 strategy to optimise its manufacturing network, refine business processes and adjust inventory and production levels.

BD's Drogheda site is engaged in manufacturing products that support interventional radiology, oncology and critical care.

However, the company's decision does not impact its other sites in the country.

BD said it is working with the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to find a prospective owner for the facility in Drogheda.

Commenting on the move, Ireland's trade union SIPTU manufacturing divisional organiser Neil McGowan said: “SIPTU will not accept anything less than concentrated and swift government intervention to ensure an IDA-backed manufacturing company remains in this area.

“We cannot allow a situation where the skills of our members in BD and the infrastructure that is in place already is allowed to go to the wall while the government sits on its hands.”

Currently, BD operates three additional facilities in Ireland, located in Blackrock, Dublin, Enniscorthy, Wexford, and Limerick. It has a total workforce of 1,000 employees across all sites.

Last month, BD signed a deal to acquire the Critical Care product group from Edwards Lifesciences for $4.2bn.