Today, in an official groundbreaking ceremony, the global medical products manufacturing company, Hollister Incorporated, begins construction of its new €50 million manufacturing plant to be built in the Kaunas region of Lithuania. Construction of the plant is scheduled to be completed in 2019, with approximately 300 new jobs over the next several years.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Kaunas District Mayor, Valerijus Makunas; Kaunas City Mayor, Visvaldas Matijosaitis; KTU Vice-Rector, Jurgita Siugzdiniene; Mr. Mantas Katinas, Director General of Invest Lithuania; along with other dignitaries and business partners.
Speaking to all attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony, Hollister Incorporated President and CEO, Mr. George Maliekel said, “Our decision to invest in this major expansion project in Lithuania was made after very thoughtful consideration. This is a key strategic initiative for our company, and the support we have received from both government and business leaders, as well as our business partners and others here in the Kaunas region, lets us know that we have made the right decision for the continued success of our company and for those who depend on medical products of the highest quality. At Hollister Incorporated, our overriding goal and commitment is to make a difference – to add value to healthcare and to improve the quality of life for people who depend on our products. Our new manufacturing plant here in Kaunas will not only help us to meet current market needs – especially in Europe – but will also help us to meet the global challenges of the 21st Century.”
For global manufacturing companies like Hollister Incorporated, there are many factors that can influence a decision on where best to locate a new plant. The skills and talent of the local population are critical components in making a decision, and the cultural ‘fit’ between a company’s culture and the people throughout the region are extremely important. Educational opportunities are also significant. That is why Hollister Incorporated is committed to working closely with local educational institutions, like the Kaunas University of Technology and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, as well as institutions across the country to help enhance programs in research, engineering and technology to develop exceptional graduates and further strengthen the local talent market.
“When choosing the location for this new plant, the Hollister Incorporated team paid particular attention not only to geographical location and investment environment, but also to the skills and values of our region’s highly qualified employees,” Mr. Katinas said. “We are delighted that Lithuania and the Kaunas region in particular have met their highest expectations, and we hope that this success story will become an example for other medical device manufacturing companies and other investors.”
Hollister Incorporated commissioned YIT Kausta to build the first phase of the new manufacturing facility in Kaunas. Construction of the Hollister Incorporated facility will begin in early November.
Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products worldwide. The company develops, and manufactures products for ostomy care, continence care, critical care and wound care, and develops educational support materials for patients and healthcare professionals.
Hollister Incorporated has been serving healthcare professionals and consumers for more than 95 years and is committed to making life more rewarding and dignified for people who use its products. Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, USA, Hollister Incorporated has manufacturing and distribution centres on three continents and sells its products in more than 80 countries around the world.
For more information about Hollister Incorporated, please visit the website www.hollister.com.
