Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS), Ireland’s largest privately-owned contract laboratory, is celebrating 25 years in business with the creation of 100 new jobs over the next two years as the MedTech sector continues to grow. Set up in 1994 in Ros Muc, Connemara, and with a second facility CLS MedPharma in Galway city in 2008, the company currently employees a workforce of 191 who cater for a portfolio of over 600 Irish and international clients.
78 of the new positions will be at CLS MedPharma to manage new projects and the expansion of existing contracts covering roles for microbiology and analytical analysts in Galway as well as at client sites in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Sligo. The CLS Ros Muc water and environmental services will be recruiting 18 environmental science graduates and food microbiologists while the remaining four positions will cover new appointments in marketing, sales and finance.
CLS MedPharma provides sampling, testing, fully trained analysts on contract* and first-in-class managed solutions to MedTech, biopharma and pharmaceutical clients, while CLS Ros Muc caters for the equivalent services to environmental and food clients. The CLS laboratories are accredited and approved by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB); ISO 17025 (108T); US Food and Drug Administration (FDA); ISO 9001:2015; Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA); GMP licenced; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved.
Speaking at Med in Ireland, Minister of State for Trade, Employment and Business Pat Breen TD said: “The news of 100 new jobs is fantastic for Connemara and the West region. Complete Laboratory Solutions has been a long-established name in the region since 1994 and has built a reputation as a great employer. The company is also acknowledged as a leading service provider in the pharma sector, providing expertise to deliver world-leading medical innovation. Today’s milestone announcement by CLS is a very positive reinforcement of our position in the global pharmaceutical and medical testing sector.”
Making the announcement at the Enterprise Ireland Med in Ireland 2019 Conference, Evelyn O’Toole, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CLS, said: “Celebrating our 25th year in business has been incredible and I’m delighted to be announcing new jobs to mark the occasion. I want to say a sincere thank you to the management team, all my colleagues at CLS and our clients for their work, their loyalty and support throughout the years.”
“Our workforce expansion demonstrates our maturity as an international player, and we have created the momentum to continue to grow and deliver exceptional service for our clients thanks to the vibrant MedTech industry in Ireland. Today we are a key supplier in the industry catering to multinational companies both here and overseas and this is as a result of us reinvesting in our services to make CLS a substantial, strong and innovative supplier. Our trained analysts on contract who supply first-in-class fully managed solutions is expanding and we are currently at 20 client sites. We have certainly come a long way from our humble beginnings in 1994 and I very much look forward to the next chapter.”
Deirdre Glenn, Lifesciences Director, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Driven by highly innovative companies such as Complete Laboratory Solutions, Ireland is now recognised globally as a major centre of excellence for medical technology. Having shown impressive growth since its inception 25 years ago, Complete Laboratory Solutions is now poised for significant further expansion. This expansion will be driven in part by growth in direct export sales, as it expands its range of overseas customers and takes advantage of opportunities presented by Brexit – as UK firms seek to have products and materials certified by EU-accredited laboratories. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with CLS as it develops through its capacity to innovate and by improving its competitiveness.”
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, welcomed the announcement stating: “Údarás na Gaeltachta are proud to have supported CLS Teo. (Saotharlann Chonamara Teo.) from its inception in Ros Muc 25 years ago and we congratulate Evelyn O’Toole and her team for their continued growth and success. We wholly welcome their announcement of further expansion and the creation of further high-quality jobs both in Ros Muc and in Galway City. Go maire sibh bhur nuacht.”
For more details on career opportunities at CLS visit www.cls.ie