By Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief

Innovation is the key to improving healthcare. As technologies evolve, they gain greater capabilities and can enhance treatment protocols. Advanced technologies can address a number of challenges facing the industry today, including helping to reduce costs, supplementing labor shortages, and providing greater efficiencies in the care space.

Developing these technological solutions, however, is a complicated task and not easily achieved. As such, it’s critical to have solutions in place to address the many obstacles to success. Ireland provides the framework and infrastructure for such a journey, having nurtured an expansive medtech manufacturing environment. The industry has recognized this and populated the island with facilities providing capabilities from R&D through to commercialization.

One such firm that has embraced the region is Integer. In fact, the company recognized the strong value of the country such that it recently completed significant expansions to two facilities located there. Sharing the thinking behind this investment, the capabilities it grows, and the overall value Ireland offers to medtech manufacturers, Richard Gribbons, Director of Product Development Engineering at Integer in Ireland, responded to questions about these topics in the following Q&A.

Sean Fenske: Why is Ireland an attractive region for medical device manufacturing?

Richard Gribbons: Galway’s evolution into a world-class center for medical device innovation is a testament to its unique combination of a highly skilled workforce and deep-rooted expertise in the medtech sector. The investment of $30 million into expanding our operations here is not just about adding space or capacity—it’s about positioning Integer at the heart of future innovation. We are creating an environment that enables collaboration and accelerates the development of the next generation of life-saving technologies.

At Integer, we partner with some of the most forward-thinking companies, from medtech giants to disruptive start-ups. Our enhanced presence in Galway strengthens those partnerships by providing them with local access to world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities. This investment is a long-term commitment to supporting not only our customers’ needs but also the broader healthcare landscape by bringing the most advanced medical devices from concept to market at an unprecedented pace.

Ireland’s advantages extend beyond its remarkable talent pool. The country’s stable regulatory framework and pro-innovation business policies make it a fertile ground for R&D. Being part of the European Union allows us to rapidly access international markets, ensuring that life-changing innovations developed here can benefit patients globally.

For approximately three decades, Integer has thrived in Ireland’s vibrant medtech ecosystem, and this expansion solidifies our role as a key player in driving not just regional, but global, advancements in healthcare. We’re not only investing in Galway’s infrastructure; we’re investing in its future as a global leader in medical technology, where the brightest minds and cutting-edge ideas come together to transform patient care.

Fenske: You recently completed expansions at two facilities in Ireland. What capabilities are increased with this plan?

Gribbons: Integer’s recent investment in the new Parkmore East facility in Galway marks a pivotal moment in our growth strategy. The 67,000-square-foot facility brings together research and development (R&D), new product introduction (NPI), and device assembly under one roof, significantly enhancing our ability to innovate and accelerate time to market. By integrating these critical functions, we are optimizing processes that enable faster development cycles and smoother transitions from concept to commercialization. This streamlined approach is crucial in today’s fast-paced medtech environment, allowing us to respond swiftly to customer needs and deliver next-generation solutions with greater agility.

Beyond just operational efficiency, this facility is designed to foster greater collaboration between our teams, which is essential for driving innovation. As we help our customers—whether large OEMs or emerging start-ups—bring complex medical devices to life, having R&D, prototyping, and production in close proximity enables a more dynamic and iterative development process. This consolidated approach not only reduces development timelines but also enhances product quality, ultimately improving patient outcomes. With a line of sight to our future growth in Ireland, we have the ability to substantially expand this new facility as needed—up to 300,000 sq. ft.

At the same time, we have significantly expanded our guidewire manufacturing facility in New Ross, adding 80,000 square feet and increasing production capacity. This investment equips the facility with advanced manufacturing technologies, ensuring we can meet the growing global demand for high-performance guidewires. By bolstering our capabilities at New Ross, we’re reinforcing Integer’s leadership in the production of mission-critical components that enable breakthrough treatments and minimally invasive procedures.

Together, these expansions ensure that Integer is well-positioned to serve our customers with the latest technologies and to support the development of the most innovative medical devices. It’s not just about increasing capacity; it’s about enabling the next wave of medtech advancements. We’re committed to providing our customers with the cutting-edge products and services they need to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry, and these investments are a clear reflection of that commitment.

Fenske: Are these facilities supporting device manufacturers in Ireland, or do they serve a larger region?

Gribbons: While our newly expanded facilities in Galway and New Ross play a pivotal role in supporting local medtech manufacturers, their impact extends well beyond Ireland’s borders. These expansions are part of a strategic initiative to strengthen our role in the broader European medical device ecosystem while driving innovation on a global scale. Galway, as part of one of the world’s leading medtech clusters, offers us a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with local innovators, ensuring we stay at the cutting edge of the industry. However, the true reach of these facilities goes far beyond Ireland, as they are central to supporting our international customer base, including major medical device OEMs and dynamic start-ups worldwide.

By increasing our production and development capabilities, we are better positioned to accelerate the pace of medical technology development not just in Europe, but across all key markets. The expanded Galway and New Ross facilities give us the capacity to respond rapidly to customer demands, providing our partners with the ability to bring innovative, high-quality products to market faster and more efficiently. This is a critical advantage in an industry where speed-to-market can make a significant difference in addressing unmet patient needs.

At Integer, our facilities are designed with a global mindset. The investment in Ireland ensures we can support the entire product lifecycle—from early-stage R&D to full-scale commercialization—anywhere in the world. Our Galway and New Ross expansions reflect a commitment not only to serving local innovators but also to enabling groundbreaking medical advancements across Europe, the U.S., and beyond. This global perspective allows us to collaborate seamlessly with customers in multiple regions, delivering solutions that shape the future of healthcare technology.

Fenske: You also maintain a Centre of Excellence in Ireland. What is the purpose of this facility, and how does it serve customers?

Gribbons: Integer’s Centre of Excellence in Galway is a cornerstone of our innovation strategy and plays a crucial role in driving the development of next-generation medical technologies. This world-class facility serves as a hub for research, development, and manufacturing, with a special focus on advancing catheter technologies, medical textiles, and complex delivery systems—areas where precision and innovation are critical to improving patient care. The Centre brings together some of the brightest minds from across Integer, allowing us to collaborate closely with customers to co-create groundbreaking medical devices that meet evolving clinical needs.

What sets this facility apart is its integrated approach. By combining R&D and manufacturing capabilities under one roof, we can significantly accelerate the product development lifecycle—from concept through to commercialization. This seamless integration allows us to move quickly from prototyping to full-scale production, providing our customers with the agility and efficiency they need to stay ahead in a highly competitive market. Whether it’s a large OEM or an emerging start-up, we offer tailored solutions that enable our customers to bring innovative products to market faster and more cost effectively.

The Galway Centre of Excellence also thrives on collaboration. We’ve created an environment that fosters close partnerships between our engineers, scientists, and customers, encouraging a dynamic exchange of ideas that sparks innovation. This collaborative approach enhances not just speed-to-market but also the quality and performance of the devices we develop together. By working hand-in-hand with our customers, we ensure the solutions we create meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and clinical relevance.

Ultimately, the Centre is much more than a physical space—it’s a catalyst for collaboration with our customers as part of their innovation process. It’s where ideas are transformed into real-world medical technologies that have the potential to save lives and improve patient outcomes globally. By investing in this Centre of Excellence, Integer is committed to empowering our customers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare.

Fenske: Two years ago, Integer acquired Aran Biomedical. Can you speak to the strategy behind this purchase and what capabilities it provided?

Gribbons: The acquisition of Aran Biomedical was a strategic move designed to enhance our position in key high-growth medical markets, particularly the cardiovascular space. Aran Biomedical, with its long-standing expertise in medical textiles, biomaterial coverings, and advanced braiding technologies, brought a unique set of capabilities that perfectly complement Integer’s strengths in delivery systems for cardiovascular, neurovascular, peripheral vascular, and endovascular applications.

The integration of Aran’s proprietary technologies has allowed us to broaden our portfolio and offer even more comprehensive solutions for complex therapeutic devices. By combining Aran’s cutting-edge advancements in biomaterials with our existing platforms, we are now better positioned to support the development of next-generation implantable devices, where minimizing device profiles and optimizing performance are critical to improving patient outcomes.

One of the most significant impacts of this acquisition has been our expanded ability to innovate in the cardiovascular sector, especially in the development of implantable devices that push the boundaries of what’s possible in clinical care. Aran Biomedical’s expertise in biomaterials and advanced braiding technology has been instrumental in enhancing the design and functionality of these devices, allowing us to offer our customers more innovative, high-performance solutions.

The acquisition of Aran Biomedical has significantly enhanced our ability to bring a broader range of innovative products and services to market, allowing us to better support our customers in addressing the complex and evolving demands of modern healthcare. The collaboration between Aran’s specialized technologies and Integer’s global scale and expertise enables us to deliver even greater value to our customers, helping them develop advanced medical solutions that improve patient outcomes and advance the standard of care worldwide.

Fenske: What strategic advantages does having such a wealth of resources in Ireland provide for Integer and its customers?

Gribbons: Ireland’s vibrant medtech ecosystem provides Integer with a unique strategic advantage. The concentration of world-class talent, industry-leading research, and cutting-edge innovation enables us to deliver state-of-the-art medical devices that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Galway, in particular, places us in close proximity to key customers and partners, allowing for real-time collaboration and faster development cycles—critical factors in an industry where speed-to-market can be a game-changer for patient care and product success.

The ability to attract and retain top-tier talent is one of the most valuable aspects of our presence in Ireland. The country’s reputation as a global medtech hub helps us maintain our leadership in the development of complex and highly specialized medical technologies. Our teams in Ireland are continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, driving innovation that directly benefits our customers by improving product performance and patient outcomes.

Beyond talent and innovation, Ireland’s favorable business environment, along with its position within the European Union, provides a stable and supportive regulatory landscape. This stability is invaluable when navigating the complexities of medical device development and commercialization, ensuring we can bring products to market efficiently and in compliance with global standards.

Leveraging Ireland’s robust resources, along with its business-friendly policies, allows Integer to continue delivering innovative, high-quality products to our customers worldwide. By embedding ourselves in this thriving ecosystem, we remain well-positioned to support the evolving needs of the global healthcare industry and continue being a trusted partner in advancing medical technology.

Fenske: Do you have any additional comments you’d like to share based on the topics discussed or something you’d like to tell medical device manufacturers?

Gribbons: Integer’s continued investment in Ireland is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and collaboration. As a company, we excel at integrating cutting-edge R&D with world-class manufacturing capabilities, which allows us to provide comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for our customers. Our recent expansions and strategic acquisitions, such as the addition of Aran Biomedical, highlight our focus on strengthening our capabilities to deliver the most advanced technologies faster and more efficiently.

At Integer, we believe that innovation thrives through partnership. Our customers—whether large OEMs or innovative start-ups—can expect a collaborative approach that places innovation, quality, and speed-to-market at the forefront. We work side-by-side with our customers to solve complex challenges, co-develop groundbreaking medical technologies, and ultimately deliver solutions that improve patient outcomes across the globe.

As the medtech industry continues to evolve, we remain committed to anticipating and meeting the needs of healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers alike. Our investments in Ireland and globally position us to be not just a supplier, but a strategic partner—one that helps our customers stay ahead of industry trends and deliver life-changing technologies to the patients who need them most. Looking ahead, Integer will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in medical technology, driven by a shared goal of advancing patient care through innovation.

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