Galway Medtech Firm CLS Announces 140 New Jobs in Expansion

Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS), an Irish medtech company, has revealed plans to create 140 new jobs at its Galway facility over the next three years. The recruitment drive is set to commence immediately, with openings available in various fields such as science, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, engineering, and business analytics.

Founded in 1994 by Clifden native Evelyn O’Toole, CLS has evolved into a significant player in the contract laboratory sector. The company, licensed by both the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), offers quality assurance, lean transformations, specialized training, and talent resourcing to partners across multiple industries, including medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

Strategic Growth and Future Plans

The announcement comes shortly after CLS launched a €9.9 million training program, supported by IDA Ireland, aimed at upskilling its workforce over the next two years. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand the company’s reach into new markets, including semiconductors, engineering, and the green and coastal economy.

O’Toole, who began her entrepreneurial journey with limited resources, expressed her excitement about the company’s future. “This strategic expansion reflects both the evolving needs of industry and our ambition for sustainable growth,” she stated. “With new capabilities, accelerators, and a highly skilled workforce in place, CLS is well-positioned to drive innovation and resilience across dynamic, fast-moving sectors.”

The workforce at CLS currently exceeds 200 employees, and the new roles will increase this number to 400 in the coming years. O’Toole aims to transition CLS from a medium-sized enterprise into a fully Irish-led multinational.

Support from Government Officials

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke emphasized the importance of CLS’s growth, highlighting its role in showcasing Ireland’s robust innovation ecosystem. “This strategic expansion, supported by IDA Ireland, demonstrates how Irish-led enterprises can scale while continuing to invest locally,” he remarked.

In 2022, CLS became part of the UK-based Phenna Group, which now holds a majority stake in the company. Phenna Group specializes in investing in independent testing, inspection, and certification companies, positioning CLS for continued growth and innovation.

As CLS embarks on this ambitious expansion, the company’s commitment to enhancing local employment opportunities and fostering industry growth remains clear.