Updated 7.40am

THERE WAS SOME good news for Galway announced this morning — a manufacturing firm has said it is to create 250 new jobs.

Zimmer, which makes orthopaedic products, is setting up a second Irish operation bringing its total workforce to 580.

The positions will be in manufacturing and in a new sales and marketing division.

The €51 million investment in Oranmore will give the firm extra capacity to manufacture knee and hip implants.

General Manager Adrian Furey said the expansion will not impact operations in Shannon.

“Our Shannon facility will continue to be our flagship for Ireland and we will continue to invest in our operations there,” he said.

The new facility, however, will also be home to a “state of the art professional education centre”, which Zimmer says will attract professional health practitioners from around the world.

That means “exciting times for Zimmer orthopaedics in Ireland”, according to Antony Massarella, vice president of Zimmer Northern Europe.

IDA Ireland and the Minister for Jobs have welcomed the plans.

Martin Shanahan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, noted that exports of medical devices and diagnostic products now represent 8% of Ireland’s total merchandise exports.

“Galway is already home to some of Ireland’s biggest names in medical devices – this announcement will add to the talent pool in the city and surrounding region,” he added.

Oh, and wondering about the name? IDA’s press guy has answered that question.

First published 7.13am

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Enda: A job means you can buy the car, the boyfriend, the girlfriend, the boots or whatever