Almac Secures Room to Grow; Plans Expected to Lead to 500 Jobs

September 29, 2009

Almac, one of Northern Ireland’s leading businesses, has secured planning permission for major expansion plans that could potentially see the company create over 500 jobs during the next five years.

Almac, one of Northern Ireland’s leading businesses, has secured planning permission for major expansion plans that could potentially see the company create over 500 jobs during the next five years.

In 2008 staff numbers in the UK rose by 15% to 1,426 and in the US by 10% to 762. The company also announced the creation of 128 new graduate and research positions in the first two months of 2009.

The initial phase of the planned further development will see Almac construct a large three-storey office unit to accommodate over 220 existing staff and expected recruits. For the second phase of expansion the company obtained outline planning permission for a new research facility as well as a new distribution unit to expand existing capacity.

The plans are expected to lead to additional posts across the Group comprising a mix of administrative and support staff as well as a significant proportion of graduate positions.

Group Chairman Sir Allen McClay said: “This is an exciting time for Almac. Since our foundation in 2001 we have grown at record levels, and we expect this trend to continue over the coming years. With our rapid rate of growth it was important to put proper plans in place and provide the necessary room for Almac to expand.”

Speaking on a recent visit to Almac Northern Ireland Economy Minister Arlene Foster said, “Almac is now one of the most respected, innovative companies operating in the highly competitive global pharmaceutical industry. Under the vision and leadership of Sir Allen McClay and his highly skilled research teams, Almac has rapidly become a significant player in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.”

As well as the continued construction of their new $112 million North American Headquarters, over the past eighteen months Almac have invested around £10m at the Craigavon site in a new laboratory block and a specialist cold storage facility for clinical trial materials.

When completed the new facilities are expected to represent another capital investment on a similar scale.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

Contact:

John Hart

Stakeholder Communications

T: + 44 (0) 2890 339949

E: [email protected]

Philip Diamond

Almac Group

T: +44(0)28 3833 2200

E: [email protected]

About Almac Group:

The Almac Group comprises five closely integrated divisions offering a broad range of services from R&D, translational genomic services, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply and technology (IVRS/Web/EDC), to commercial-scale manufacture. Almac provides services to more than 600 companies, including all the world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

The company employs over 2,400 individuals and is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. US operations are based in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California. Construction of the company’s new $112m North American Headquarters started in July 08 and is expected to be completed 2010.

For more information about the Almac Group, please visit almacgroup.com or e-mail [email protected]

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