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GRANT IS CATALYST FOR £18m INVESTMENT PROJECT TO EXPAND AND SAFEGUARD PLYMOUTH JOBS

One of Plymouth‘s biggest employers has unveiled £18 million expansion plans which will safeguard existing jobs and create new ones in the city.

The announcement comes from BD, the medical technology company which employs 700 people at its Plymouth manufacturing plant, making it the city‘s third biggest private sector employer. 

Most of the products manufactured in the Plymouth site eventually come into direct contact with patients and so must be sterilised to a very high standard.
However, the existing sterilisation facilities are growing near to full capacity and becoming a constraint for the plant‘s future growth.

Working with the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), Top 50 accountancy firm Bishop Fleming helped the company to successfully bid to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills for £2.2 million of Grant for Business Investment (GBI) for two major capital investments.

The money will contribute towards an additional sterilising unit and a facility to manufacture a new generation of safety flashback needles, specifically designed to help increase healthcare professionals‘ safety worldwide.

Ewan McClymont, head of grant services for Bishop Fleming, said: “It has been extremely satisfying to have been closely involved on a project of this size with one of Plymouth‘s principal employers.

“BD operates on a global platform and the investment is designed to help ensure future innovation and growth for the city site.”

Richard Hoskin, business investment advisor for the South West RDA, said: “BD in Plymouth has enjoyed a long relationship with the South West RDA and the GBI investment recognises the Company‘s commitment to innovation, productivity improvements and skilled job creation for the city.”

Peter Burgess, manufacturing director at BD‘s Plymouth site, said: “The South West RDA‘s support has been a significant factor in taking this project forward, and Bishop Fleming‘s grant expertise was invaluable in helping us through an application of this size.

“Above all, the expansion projects represent a substantial investment, which demonstrates our commitment to future growth at the Plymouth site.”

The Plymouth manufacturing plant was established in 1981 and the overall capital investment of £18 million to grow the site is expected to create 19 new jobs and safeguard 118. 

Becton, Dickinson UK Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BD, a leading global medical technology company that is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the diagnosis of infectious diseases and advancing drug discovery. BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in around 50 countries throughout the world. BD has been present in the UK since 1965, and employs 1,300 employees across four sites.

END                                    23rd February 2010

For further information please contact Neil Fraser Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349 011 or email neil@sturgessvandamme.co.uk