US-based global MedTech giant Stryker continues to invest in its Irish workforce. Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies, impacting more than 150 million patients globally each year.

In Ireland, Stryker has centres in Cork, Limerick and Belfast. Stryker began operations in Cork in 1998 with 20 employees and one site. Today, its Cork facilities employ more than 4,100 people across six sites, in R&D and manufacturing. Cork is also home to Stryker’s European operations leadership.

In this Q&A interview, Mag O’Keeffe, VP, Global Additive Technologies at Stryker, outlines how Ireland can protect and sustain its position as a global MedTech leader through collaborative innovation, workforce development and transformation as well as advancements in cutting-edge technology.

How we do we protect and enhance Ireland’s position as a MedTech hub into the future? 

Mag O'Keeffe: The answer lies in a laser focus on research, development and innovation.

Ireland’s unique ecosystem has made it a destination of choice for MedTech companies. From the highly educated workforce to the world-class academic and healthcare partnerships available, Ireland offers MedTech companies an environment which is ripe for growth.

However, to ensure that innovation can flourish, we must focus on developing and embracing new technologies, reinforcing ties with academia and healthcare institutions, and investing in the upskilling and reskilling of our workforce.

Ireland’s success in MedTech stems from the presence of international and home-grown organisations which have a commitment to research and development. Ultimately, the global MedTech industry is dedicated to saving lives and improving patient outcomes, particularly in the context of an aging global population.

Achieving this requires an ongoing commitment to innovation, with companies needing to not only stay ahead of evolving patient needs but also integrating new technologies.

Stryker, which has been at the very heart of Ireland’s MedTech landscape for over 25 years, and others in the region have a track record of staying one step ahead of change.

Is Stryker working on disruptive technologies and innovations to drive meaningful change for patients and healthcare professionals?

MO'K: We are particularly proud of the progress we have made in Ireland in the field of 3D printing. Our AMagine Institute in Carrigtwohill is home to one of the world’s largest additive manufacturing facilities. The institute is leading the way in the revolution of the manufacturing process and helping to create custom devices which are tailored to individual patients.

As MedTech companies embrace new technologies and move towards alternative ways of manufacturing like 3D printing, the realms of possibility will broaden, and innovation will continue to flourish. The success of our 3D technology is just one example of how Ireland’s MedTech sector can continue to lead by developing cutting-edge technologies. Advancements in AI, robotics and digital twin technology are some of the other technologies that the workforce within the MedTech sector will need to continue to embrace to remain ahead of global competitors.

What is the importance of collaboration between industry, academia and the healthcare sector?

MO'K: The MedTech industry cannot thrive in isolation, and it is vital that we broaden the culture of collaboration that has emerged in recent years and deepen the ties between industry, our world class research community, supply chain partners and clinical colleagues.

As highlighted in Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy, the government is aware of the need to foster collaboration both inside and outside the MedTech sector. To maintain Ireland’s position at the forefront of MedTech, a strong collaborative culture should be a top priority.

Deepening collaboration between industry and academia is also vital in protecting and enhancing the pipeline of skilled talent that will help fuel innovation within the sector. With the MedTech workforce in Ireland projected to expand to more than 56,000 people by 2028, it is important to foster the development of highly skilled professionals long into the future.

The impact of Stryker’s innovations extends beyond the company itself, and our business is intertwined with Ireland’s academic and healthcare institutions, particularly in the South and Midwest, which provide a stream of research, talent and clinical insights and fuel our technological advancements. Through Stryker’s partnerships, we are not only strengthening our portfolio but also contributing to Ireland’s position as a hub for medical technology.

We work closely with Cork University Hospital (CUH) and University College Cork (UCC) on research into brain tumors to identify margins between healthy and cancerous tissue.

How can Ireland prepare its workforce for new emerging technologies? 

MO'K: Innovation and transformation are as much about people as it is technology. That’s why the development of new technologies must be supported by a highly skilled and diverse workforce which is equipped to meet the future demands of the sector.

The pathway from Ireland’s third level institutions to the MedTech industry must be strong, ensuring that students have the practical skills necessary to succeed. In addition, as the pace of technological change accelerates, upskilling and reskilling will become more critical in meeting the future needs of the sector.

At Stryker, we recognise the importance of our people, and we invest in our people and their skills. Through programmes such as graduate schemes, apprenticeships and educational assistance initiatives, Stryker is ensuring that our employees are prepared for the challenges of advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies.

Moreover, broader national investment in training and upskilling is necessary to maintain Ireland’s competitive edge. Indeed, we must ensure that Ireland’s workforce is not only ready to embrace latest technologies, but that it plays a central role in the development of that technology.

By strengthening the pipeline of talent, Ireland will ensure that its workforce remains competitive in the global market and the country will be positioned as a destination of choice for talent into the future.

The future of Ireland’s MedTech sector hinges on its ability to stay ahead of the curve in the areas of innovation, partnerships and workforce development. Stryker’s success in Ireland is an example of how a culmination of these elements can create tangible benefits for patients and healthcare professionals worldwide.

In the face of global competition, Ireland has the opportunity to build on its strengths and solidify its position as a MedTech leader for years to come. By committing to innovation at technological, clinical and education levels, Ireland can continue to make a lasting impact on healthcare, benefitting not just the local economy, but patients around the world.