Salvation at last!?

Cake Man

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/health-pharma/drug-firm-may-invest-up-to-1bn-in-waterford-1.1904285

Didn’t see anything mentioned about this yet, apologies if it is. Hopefully it comes through as it would be a serious boost for the city. “May” being the key word in that article.
However, we’ve heard rumours and speculation about numerous places supposedly happening in terms of jobs and investment here in the lastfew years only for nothing to happen. Fingers crossed though!

dzilla

Anybody have an idea who it is? Is the 45 acre site the one that is been set up in next to the Holy cross or do they have different land earmarked for it?

wellboytoo

Fairly sure it is the land opposite the Westside business park with the steel railings.

dzilla

Thatd be some coup

Junior

If the City Council are putting up cash to level the site they must be fairly confident that the deal can be inked.

Nypd

Fingers crossed could be the lifeline the city needs.
Major vote of confidence for pharma production.

Max Powers

Nypd wrote: »

Fingers crossed could be the lifeline the city needs.
Major vote of confidence for pharma production.

Yeah, its potentially excellent. Hopefully it all goes according to plan. as one poster said, we have heard promises before. Not trying to be negative but im always happier when i actually see contruction boots on the ground.

Sully

John Cummins wrote:

Can't comment more but this has the potential along with the Michael Street development to be a game changer for Waterford City. This company visited Waterford during my term as Mayor & are a major multinational Pharma company. As I've said before it takes time for such itineraries to materialise and more don't than do but NuVasive is one that has and I'm hopeful this will be a second from during my term. If it is realised it will cement Waterford as a major location for Pharma, Bio Pharma & Life Sciences with companies like Genzyme, Teva, Nyrpro, Baush & Lomb & home grown Eirgen!

A quote from one of the local reps, Cllr John Cummins who would have been Mayor at the time.

Would be a huge boost to the local economy if they managed to strike a deal and a company that would have huge potential going forward for further investment and growth.

MitchKoobski

The way people seem to be going on about it you'd swear the deal was signed and they were starting next week.

Sully

MitchKoobski wrote: »

The way people seem to be going on about it you'd swear the deal was signed and they were starting next week.

Can't but get excited. I've been watching the United transfer window all season and this is the closest to excitement I've got! :P

dzilla

MitchKoobski wrote: »

The way people seem to be going on about it you'd swear the deal was signed and they were starting next week.

Everyone is speaking in hyndsight to be fair

mooseknunkle

Does anybody know who it is? it says they are not in the south east so we can take it they already operate somewhere else in Ireland

fuzzy dunlop

Let's pray.

But it will be intersting whatever happens. Interesting comment from the IT which says its puts Waterford as a viable "alternative" to Cork. That won't go down so well in Leeside.

TheQuietFella

Lets just hope that all goes well!

Sully

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Does anybody know who it is? it says they are not in the south east so we can take it they already operate somewhere else in Ireland

Best not to mention it. All we can do is cross our fingers and toes and pray.

fiachr_a

Aren't there enough drugs in Waterford already?

Fugs!!

Has anyone any idea what company this is? Pfizer or j&j would be my initial guesses.

south

Could it be Servier who were planning to build a factory down in Belview port nearly 10 years ago?
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/french-pharma-company-plans-155-jobs-for-belview-1-2158141

Fugs!!

I don't know but I do know that servier plant ended up as an extension to the existing arcklow plant. I think it was something to do with Kilkenny co.co being too slow to provide facilities.

Nypd

Fugs!! wrote: »

I don't know but I do know that servier plant ended up as an extension to the existing arcklow plant. I think it was something to do with Kilkenny co.co being too slow to provide facilities.

Imagine that !
At least it's firmly in the hands of Waterford this time.

Road-Hog

We will need to get loads of KK Reg folk to fill the managerial posts in this new pharma co. The low skilled operative type ones for the Deise lads

comeraghs

Plenty of well-educated people in Waterford & plenty more Waterford people who have had to leave who'd be delighted to come home to fill these jobs.

Great news for Waterford City & County and the entire South-East, hopefully no hiccups & construction will get under way soonish.

wellboytoo

Fugs!! wrote: »

Has anyone any idea what company this is? Pfizer or j&j would be my initial guesses.

I'm hearing it is a Chinese client.

The Bowling Alley

Wasn't there a case before of Waterford losing a big investment like this because someone opened their big gob about it ahead of time. A reporter or councillor or someone like that?

7upfree

Road-Hog wrote: »

We will need to get loads of KK Reg folk to fill the managerial posts in this new pharma co. The low skilled operative type ones for the Deise lads

All hogs like yourself.

fricatus

The Bowling Alley wrote: »

Wasn't there a case before of Waterford losing a big investment like this because someone opened their big gob about it ahead of time. A reporter or councillor or someone like that?

I can't imagine that would happen. The IDA and these companies know how to go about these things without spilling the beans to the village idiots. If they couldn't keep the name a secret, that's their own fault. IMO, if the name is provided to a reporter or councillor, then it might as well be on the front page of the paper or in a thread on boards.ie!

People the world over love to gossip - it's not just a Waterford thing. If a business decision to locate somewhere makes sense, then a premature leak of information, while causing problems, wouldn't change the decision IMO.

It's much more likely that we just weren't picked...

Road-Hog

7upfree wrote: »

All hogs like yourself.

You are assuming that I'm KK reg?...........I was informed before by some sophisticated KK contributor that the majority of managerial positions in plants/factories etc. in the Waterford Industrial Estate are held KK folk.

With regard to the early leaking of a company name being responsible for a decision reversal about setting up in a particular area/county/country, I just couldn't see that being the sole reason. Can you imagine some CEO of a major Pharma Co. or whatever being so pissed off about the company name being leaked that he/she would reverse the decision having probably spent significant monies examining the feasibility of setting up. It is probably more likely that they were not 100% happy with the IDA financial support/grants or what ever..............not down to gossiping Councillors, TD's or journalists

7upfree

Road-Hog wrote: »

You are assuming that I'm KK reg?...........I was informed before by some sophisticated KK contributor that the majority of managerial positions in plants/factories etc. in the Waterford Industrial Estate are held KK folk.

With regard to the early leaking of a company name being responsible for a decision reversal about setting up in a particular area/county/country, I just couldn't see that being the sole reason. Can you imagine some CEO of a major Pharma Co. or whatever being so pissed off about the company name being leaked that he/she would reverse the decision having probably spent significant monies examining the feasibility of setting up. It is probably more likely that they were not 100% happy with the IDA financial support/grants or what ever..............not down to gossiping Councillors, TD's or journalists

You were worse to listen to him.:) Sorry for confusing you with the aforementioned!

fricatus

Road-Hog wrote: »

You are assuming that I'm KK reg?...........I was informed before by some sophisticated KK contributor that the majority of managerial positions in plants/factories etc. in the Waterford Industrial Estate are held KK folk.

Okaaay... so did this person do some sort of official survey?

I know from my own workplace in Kilkenny that there are about equal numbers of KK and Waterford folk in senior positions, but that only accounts for about half of the management team. Another quarter or more would be from Dublin/Kildare/Wicklow, and the others include people from England and further afield.

And this is for a place that's actually in Kilkenny remember... so I'm calling BS on that statement unless your contributor can point to some sort of source. :cool:

fricatus

From Tom Lyons of the Irish Times:

https://twitter.com/TomLyonsBiz/status/505105829176287233
"Breaking a good fdi story tomorrow. Important news - hope every stop pulled out to make it happen."

https://twitter.com/TomLyonsBiz/status/505107287393177600
"waterford related. Have a name to add to a story I wrote last week."

Sully

Huge risk publishing the name surely? Good seriously damage negotiations?

jayboi

Why was there a wait of a week to release the name? Seems a bit bizarre.

Though drip feeding good news seems to be specialty in this town city

The Bowling Alley

http://iti.ms/1u3ckwT

He's named the pharma company.

Hasmunch

Firm announced as West Pharmaceuticals

Linky

Wanderer2010

One thing is for sure when or if this company does get the green light in Waterford- it won't be unionized. After all the hassle that certain companies got in the past few years from die-hard Waterford union heads who wouldn't know a good deal if it bit them on the face, not to mention our already well-established reputation for being difficult when it comes to working conditions and striking (i'm not saying its a justified rep, but well-established), no company worth their salt is going to get attached to a union here. Genzyme are thriving and they have no union, plus the fact that unions never ever saved a single job here in Waterford, its no bad thing.

I welcome the investment if it goes ahead, and all the accompanying benefits to the city and economy. :pac:

Smiley Burnett

The naming of this company is not good news and doesn't help the situation...there's someone with a big mouth!!!

BBM77

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

One thing is for sure when or if this company does get the green light in Waterford- it won't be unionized. After all the hassle that certain companies got in the past few years from die-hard Waterford union heads who wouldn't know a good deal if it bit them on the face, not to mention our already well-established reputation for being difficult when it comes to working conditions and striking (i'm not saying its a justified rep, but well-established), no company worth their salt is going to get attached to a union here. Genzyme are thriving and they have no union, plus the fact that unions never ever saved a single job here in Waterford, its no bad thing.

I welcome the investment if it goes ahead, and all the accompanying benefits to the city and economy. :pac:

Never bought this militant Waterford story. If Waterford had such a problem with unions there would be strikes every other month. If companies believed this why did Genzyme, Nypro, Hasbro and all the others set up operations here. It sounds like the usual it’s not our fault it’s yours line you get from the government. Every city has it’s die-hard union heads that’s nothing particular to Waterford. When was the last time there was a strike in a Waterford based company? Sure Burton was rambling on about “structural issues” in Waterford lately. Companies don’t think about investing €1 billion in cities with structural issues. If it goes ahead he’ll be down saying how fantastic Waterford is. These are just things said to suit agendas at a moment in time.

7upfree

BBM77 wrote: »

Never bought this militant Waterford story. If Waterford had such a problem with unions there would be strikes every other month. If companies believed this why did Genzyme, Nypro, Hasbro and all the others set up operations here. It sounds like the usual it’s not our fault it’s yours line you get from the government. Every city has it’s die-hard union heads that’s nothing particular to Waterford. When was the last time there was a strike in a Waterford based company? Sure Burton was rambling on about “structural issues” in Waterford lately. Companies don’t think about investing €1 billion in cities with structural issues. If it goes ahead he’ll be down say how fantastic Waterford is. These are just things said to suit agendas at a moment in time.

VERY well said. And no need to point out who has the agendas.:)

Wanderer2010

BBM77 wrote: »

Never bought this militant Waterford story. If Waterford had such a problem with unions there would be strikes every other month. If companies believed this why did Genzyme, Nypro, Hasbro and all the others set up operations here. It sounds like the usual it’s not our fault it’s yours line you get from the government. Every city has it’s die-hard union heads that’s nothing particular to Waterford. When was the last time there was a strike in a Waterford based company? Sure Burton was rambling on about “structural issues” in Waterford lately. Companies don’t think about investing €1 billion in cities with structural issues. If it goes ahead he’ll be down say how fantastic Waterford is. These are just things said to suit agendas at a moment in time.

As i said, Genzyme is thriving but has no union. Hasbro is here a very long time and I imagine it has a union if even half of the stories I hear are true. Im qualified to say that Waterford is particularly militant, having worked in Cork and Galway for a number of years. Yes, every place has its work shy union heads but I have never seen it as bad as Waterford. As for strike, you are joking surely. Waterford Crystal is the most famous example.

There are a sizeable group of Waterfordians who think the union is their God and any even hint of change in working conditions result in anarchy. Then again, with Bausch and Lomb having accepted the cuts recently, the winds may be changing and maybe the real lack of power of unions might be shining through.

Deise67

strike in Waterford crystal was 1990 ! maybe time to let that one go. ?

BBM77

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

As i said, Genzyme is thriving but has no union. Hasbro is here a very long time and I imagine it has a union if even half of the stories I hear are true. Im qualified to say that Waterford is particularly militant, having worked in Cork and Galway for a number of years. Yes, every place has its work shy union heads but I have never seen it as bad as Waterford. As for strike, you are joking surely. Waterford Crystal is the most famous example.

There are a sizeable group of Waterfordians who think the union is their God and any even hint of change in working conditions result in anarchy. Then again, with Bausch and Lomb having accepted the cuts recently, the winds may be changing and maybe the real lack of power of unions might be shining through.

Prove it then. You should be easily able to demonstrate that Waterford loses more days a year due to strikes or something.

The Bowling Alley

Don't forget, the union are sti getting their money off all the crystal workers. They are poisoned with agendas. Hogan and Kelly spent more time talking about situations in other countries and other businesses than they did about Waterford crystal at the march last week

Harry Palmr

They ain't the biggest name by a long chalk (only about a billion USD turnover and 6500 employees) but clearly better than a kick in the knacks.

fuzzy dunlop

BBM77 wrote: »

Prove it then. You should be easily able to demonstrate that Waterford loses more days a year due to strikes or something.

He can't because its pure bolloxology. If there was any truth to it it could be proven with definite data. It's amazing that whoever claims this are usually referring to things that happened in the glass almost a quarter of a century ago.

fuzzy dunlop

Harry Palmr wrote: »

They ain't the biggest name by a long chalk (only about a billion USD turnover and 6500 employees) but clearly better than a kick in the knacks.

Not necessarily a bad thing. You have to look at more specific things like the number of patents held etc. A compny this side could be more resilient because of that. There is a lot of companies this side that are world leaders. It is very easy to get hung up on big names like Google and Merck.

The_Shotz

He we go with this "union militant" bullsh1t again.

Waterford is no more militant than any other county in the country.

You mentioned Waterford Crystal as a prime example, which a poster pointed out was in 1990. If waterford was so "unionised" we would be striking quiet a lot, therefore could you name all the other strikes you are talking about, sure give us five since 1990?

If you were to research properly you would see that other areas of the country have a higher strike rate, but waterford is ever the only one branded as "unionised"

By the way I do not think this issue has anything to do with this thread, most likely the company like gemzyme would not have a union as it's how US companies are ran these days. So the issue of Waterford being "militant" wouldn't even come into for them.

kuang1

The_Shotz wrote: »

He we go with this "union militant" bullsh1t again.

Waterford is no more militant than any other county in the country.

You mentioned Waterford Crystal as a prime example, which a poster pointed out was in 1990. If waterford was so "unionised" we would be striking quiet a lot, therefore could you name all the other strikes you are talking about, sure give us five since 1990?

If you were to research properly you would see that other areas of the country have a higher strike rate, but waterford is ever the only one branded as "unionised"

By the way I do not think this issue has anything to do with this thread, most likely the company like gemzyme would not have a union as it's how US companies are ran these days. So the issue of Waterford being "militant" wouldn't even come into for them.

Some of you are missing the point and putting words in people's mouths. ..
I think most people know (both in waterford and outside of waterford) that the waterford of today is not 'militant' or over unionised etc.

However there is a PERCEPTION out there, particularly internationally, that this IS the case.
And I know for a fact that it is discouraging large investment firms/companies from diverting resources to waterford. (Was speaking to a corporate banker recently who confirmed this)

So no, it's not true that we are a militant, 'we-love-to-have-strikes-for-no-good-reason' city.
Unfortunately, truth doesn't kill off reputation.

O Riain

kuang1 wrote: »

Some of you are missing the point and putting words in people's mouths. ..
I think most people know (both in waterford and outside of waterford) that the waterford of today is not 'militant' or over unionised etc.

However there is a PERCEPTION out there, particularly internationally, that this IS the case.
And I know for a fact that it is discouraging large investment firms/companies from diverting resources to waterford. (Was speaking to a corporate banker recently who confirmed this)

So no, it's not true that we are a militant, 'we-love-to-have-strikes-for-no-good-reason' city.
Unfortunately, truth doesn't kill off reputation.

No Irish person I have ever met has ever mentioned this 'militancy' to me or even asked me about it. You are saying 'internationally' we are considered militant. Jesus, where do you think we are living? London? N.Y.C? Beijing? This is Waterford boy and I can bet you most people would never have heard about this place before speaking to the IDA.

So unless the IDA are telling them that we are militant it is complete and utter crap.

deise blue

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

One thing is for sure when or if this company does get the green light in Waterford- it won't be unionized. After all the hassle that certain companies got in the past few years from die-hard Waterford union heads who wouldn't know a good deal if it bit them on the face, not to mention our already well-established reputation for being difficult when it comes to working conditions and striking (i'm not saying its a justified rep, but well-established), no company worth their salt is going to get attached to a union here. Genzyme are thriving and they have no union, plus the fact that unions never ever saved a single job here in Waterford, its no bad thing.

I welcome the investment if it goes ahead, and all the accompanying benefits to the city and economy. :pac:

It occurs to me that given the proposed legislation on collective bargaining rights that the Government have undertaken to pass into law in the short term it may prove difficult for employers to keep Unions out of their respective workplaces.

It should be noted that ICTU have stated that they are happy with the draft legislation !

kuang1

O Riain wrote: »

No Irish person I have ever met has ever mentioned this 'militancy' to me or even asked me about it. You are saying 'internationally' we are considered militant. Jesus, where do you think we are living? London? N.Y.C? Beijing? This is Waterford boy and I can bet you most people would never have heard about this place before speaking to the IDA.

So unless the IDA are telling them that we are militant it is complete and utter crap.

Oh dear...you're a bit of an ostrich aren't you?
Have you ever left this emerald isle of ours?
Ever even had a conversation with anybody not from Waterford/Ireland?

I'm not gonna engage with you too much but where do you think the weight/finance behind any investment into waterford is gonna come from?
Waterford GAA clubs gonna pool their resources?
Already existing businesses in waterford?
The council/government?

I have to say I love the 'This is Waterford boy' part of your post...you're passionate at least. And of course you're right, this IS waterford boy! And I love calling it home.
But it could well be the likes of London, N.Y.C. or indeed Beijing that could be the source of our very own local recovery, and who we end up thanking in twenty years for bringing their riches over here.

That corporate banker I mentioned, he met with 4 dutch (that's people from the Nederlands...it's a place in Europe...they're not from Ireland...) investors.
He told me that any one of these guys could open a factory anywhere at the drop of a hat.
When asked about Ireland and investing, they discussed all cities.
Dublin was all they were interested in. They had various reasons for ruling out all other locations. And their reason for shying away from Waterford?

"Too unionised."

Again, not the reality, but the reputation.

fiachr_a

Deise67 wrote: »

strike in Waterford crystal was 1990 ! maybe time to let that one go. ?

I remember going late night shopping the Friday before Xmas and the whole town was empty, every shop I went to had no customers!