Half of medical tech companies expect to hire more staff in 2012

About half of all medical technology companies in Ireland expect to hire more employees in 2012, with four in 10 companies looking to increase permanent staff numbers before the end of 2012, suggests a survey.

The latest Irish Medical Devices Sector sentiment survey showed that 43pc of medical technology companies said they were more profitable now than earlier in 2011.

More than half of the companies surveyed said they were more productive than earlier in the year. Fifty per cent said they had increased their customer base and 56pc increased their sales.

“(The year) 2011 has been yet another strong year for this dynamic industry where we have seen almost 1,000 new jobs being announced since the beginning of the year,” said Brian O’Neill, manager of Life Sciences in Enterprise Ireland.

“These recent indicators are once again very positive and bode well for the sector in terms of continued revenue and employment growth in the new year,” he said.

The survey coincides with the announcement of the shortlist for the 2011 Medical Technology Excellence Awards. One of six chosen companies will win the overall Company of the Year Award at the ceremony on 8th December in Limerick.

Aerogen Ltd, Galway based company is among the six shortlisted companies.

The ceremony, host by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Irish Medical Devices Association, will also recognise an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sector with the IMDA Medical Technology Outstanding Contribution Award.