AK pharmaceuticals provides a full range of engineering, construction, validation and maintenance services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The role of the new Centre will be to support its services to the pharmaceutical sector across Europe. A number of key functions will be located at the Cork office, including data storage and processing, software development and training facilities, with the aim of establishing this office as a principal centre of excellence for Europe. 

Minister Martin said, "AK pharmaceuticals is a widely respected company and well regarded as experts in the provision of engineering knowledge to major international projects throughout the pharmaceutical industry.  The presence of the company in Ireland will add to the pool of expertise that already exists here and further enhance Ireland's attractiveness in competing for major pharmaceutical projects in the future, through the provision of its life-cycle approach." Substantial foreign investment by top international companies over a 40-year period has created an international pharmaceutical cluster in Ireland, which is significant on a world scale.

Mark Leggett, President, AK pharmaceuticals said: "This move to Ireland is an extremely positive one for AK pharmaceuticals.  It has come about from working with and listening to the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, many of whom have operations based in the area. Our focus is on the long term, supporting our customers throughout the lifetime of their assets, delivering quality and predictable outcomes in relationships built on trust.

We look forward to making a long-term contribution to the Irish economy."

AK pharmaceuticals provides a range of engineering services from concept through implementation, operation, validation and maintenance to clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry worldwide.   One of the largest companies in this market globally, AK pharmaceuticals has offices in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore, the US and Puerto Rico.  The company provides services to many of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, which also has a presence at Cork Airport Business Park, as well as GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer, Roche and Bristol-Myers Squibb, all of which have significant operations in Ireland. 

ENDS

 

Gavin Hollis, Aker Kvaerner, Solent, UK: + 44 (0)1489 611111 Direct Dial: +44 (0)1489 614317 Mobile: +44 (0)776 5402093

1.        AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The businesses within Aker Kvaerner span a number of industries, including Oil & Gas production, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately USD 4.5 billion and employs around 21,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

The Aker Kvaerner group consists of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA.

 

2.        AK pharmaceuticals is a trading name of Aker Kvaerner Projects Ltd., the legal entity responsible for the execution of pharmaceuticals work. AK pharmaceuticals is one of the core businesses of Aker Kvaerner in Europe.  It has considerable expertise in meeting the needs of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across Europe, from first conception to implementation, validation and operation. To achieve this, the company has assembled a team of leading technical specialists, many of them from within the industry itself, to bring hands-on experience to providing solutions to its customers.  It works in partnership with local resources, where appropriate, to ensure that the facilities we design and build satisfy all local and federal agency requirements.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com