US-headquartered family-owned medical device company Cook Medical is celebrating three decades of operations in Limerick, having expanded from a small initial presence into one of the region's most significant private sector employers.

According to a report by the Limerick Post, Cook Medical established its Limerick site in Castletroy in 1996 and has since grown to employ more than 1,000 people locally. The facility now manufactures 10% of Cook's products for global markets and has broadened its remit to include centralised commercial activities, customer support, and collaborative product development through its on-site Innovation Centre.

Cook Medical works with physicians to develop less invasive medical devices, with the Limerick site playing an increasingly central role in the company's global product pipeline. The expansion of the site's capabilities beyond manufacturing into innovation and commercial functions reflects the growing strategic importance of the Limerick operation within the wider Cook Medical group.

Pat Burke, vice president and general manager of Cook Medical, said: "The growth of our Limerick site has been driven by a commitment to innovation and improved patient outcomes, and a clear purpose to empower customers, employees, and our communities to reach their full potential."

Burke added that the site has grown from fewer than a dozen employees in its early years to become an important regional employer, reflecting continued investment and confidence in Limerick as a strategic location for medtech activity. He noted the facility has made a strong contribution to the development of skills and expertise within Ireland's medical technology sector.

The milestone arrives at a time when Limerick and the wider mid-west region have established themselves as a significant hub for medical device manufacturing in Ireland, with a concentration of multinational medtech firms contributing to a skilled regional workforce and an established supply chain ecosystem.

Cook Medical's Limerick site also hosts the Cook Medical Mini Marathon, now in its 28th year, which has raised thousands of euro for charitable causes across the region.

Explore the full story of Cook Medical's 30-year Limerick milestone at the source.