BD Cuts 60 at Irish Facility

Becton Dickinson (BD) recently announced that it is eliminating 60 positions from a manufacturing facility based in Drogheda, Ireland. The announcement comes only two years after the company added 100 new jobs and invested €62 million at the facility to upgrade site equipment and expand PosiFlush Syringe production.

BD put the cut necessity down to lasting effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the spinoff of Embecta, its diabetes business. The cuts will reportedly take place over the next 15 months, with the company stating natural attrition and retirements could limit the number of those actually affected.

Noting that the layoffs are “not a reflection on the performance of the site” as the facility has met operational expectations, BD clarified that the decision is part of its efforts to “right-size” manufacturing operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme demand for product for virus patients exploded and lessened demand for products used in non-critical or elective procedures. Now, demand for the company’s regular offerings are returning to pre-pandemic levels, making BD “realign current inventory and future demand.”

BD isn’t the only company having to take inventory in this way. Due to increased need for medical supplies during the pandemic, many companies went on hiring binges to keep up with demand. However, those same employees that benefitted from those hiring practices are now getting the boot as businesses realize they’re wildly overstaffed for current realities.

Regardless, in an article for the Irish Independent, Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster TD said the layoffs were blow to local employees. “The BD job losses are a hammer blow to the loyal employees and employment in Drogheda.”