ConvaTec grows in Wales

Global healthcare technology company ConvaTec is investing £20m to expand its manufacturing facility on Rhymney, Wales.

The company, part of the US headquartered Bristol-Myers Squibb Group, is expanding its 2,800 m² facility by a further 1,400m² on the Heads of the Valleys Industrial Estate.

ConvaTec specialise in wound care products. Fifty per cent of all ConvaTec’s global products are developed and manufactured in Wales and exported to 120 countries around the world.

The company already has a significant presence in Wales with an R&D and manufacturing facility on Deeside where it employs 950 people, 100 of whom are involved in global research and development for wound care products.

The Welsh Assembly worked closely with ConvaTec to support the expansion through its account management programme, and will be supporting training initiatives for management and staff.

The Rhymney site produces material that is used to make 100 million dressings a year, or 275,000 a day. The UK is ConvaTec’s second largest market with an annual turnover in excess of £60m.

In 2003 ConvaTec employed 24 people in Rhymney. It currently employs 115 people and anticipates further increases by the end of next year when the expansion is completed.