The company said in a statement that it would look to sell the sites in an effort to limit job losses.
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Staff were informed of the news earlier this evening. The company did not say whether more employees would be needed when the new facility is up and running.
O’Day said the company is “aware of the impact this decision has on our colleagues, and we will do our utmost to support them during this transition”, which is expected to continue from 2016 to 2021.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Gerry Cahill said the decision was taken as a result of a drop in requirement for the product the plant manufactures.
Clarecastle Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey said: “Today’s announcement in very hard for everyone in Clarecastle, Clare and the mid west. Roche has played a significant role in life in Co Clare for the past four decades and my thoughts are with the employees and their families at this uncertain time”.
SIPTU, which represents over 40pc of the Ennis workers, said the news came “as a complete shock”, with sector organiser Alan O’Leary saying the surprising move “is of massive concern to all in the local community”. That was down from €11.4 million in 2013. To address the growing demand and rich pipeline of medicines across several therapeutic areas, the company has announced investments of over CHF 2 billion in its biologics manufacturing capacity over the past two years.
The company says its “planned exit” from Clarecastle results from a review of Roche’s worldwide manufacturing network for small molecules that highlighted current underutilisation as a result of the company’s evolving portfolio.
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Roche Holding AG plans to exit four of its manufacturing plants and invest 300 million Swiss francs ($299.5 million) in a Switzerland operation, as the drug maker shifts its focus toward specialty medicines that are produced in smaller volumes than traditional ones.
