Alcon Ireland: A global leader in eye care and talent development

Alcon, a global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, is dedicated to enhancing sight and improving people's lives. With a broad portfolio of products, Alcon touches the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year.

At its Cork Model Farm Road site, Alcon has been manufacturing ophthalmic products, namely intraocular lenses (IOLs) and associated lens delivery devices, for over 30 years. These IOLs are used to replace the natural lens of the eye in cataract surgery, one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the developed world. 

Quality is paramount when it comes to manufacturing a product that touches the eye. 

Tomás Barry, Head of Quality at the Cork site, says: “The IOLs manufactured here meet some of the most rigorous Quality standards applicable to Medical Devices and these standards have become even more stringent with the implementation of the EU Medical Device Regulations.”  

As a result, it is crucial to develop a workforce armed with the skills required to manufacture these devices. 

Marie Butler, who heads up the HR function in Cork believes that talent is a valuable asset demanding continuous investment. She describes how the workforce is prepared for the demands of a rapidly evolving technological environment with customised talent strategies. Marie recognizes the growing importance of digital skills and highlights Alcon’s commitment to investing in this space.

“Fostering a culture where every individual is valued and included is a foundational principle at Alcon. We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to thrive and reach their highest potential. By continually promoting diversity, providing equal access to resources and development opportunities, and encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, we aim to create an environment where everyone can contribute and help us to collectively achieve our goals.” 

Alcon’s success in Cork after 32 years is a testament to the commitment and talent of its 600+ employees. Our people have voted Alcon a Great Place to Work for the past five years, Best Workplace for the last four consecutive years, Best Workplace for Women and more recently Best Workplace for Pharma and Healthcare. Alcon in recent years have been awarded the Medtech Company of the Year and Best Company in MedTech for Sustainability awards.

Alcon Ireland employees are active in different Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which help drive awareness of inclusion across our team. Some examples of these groups are our STEM group, Women at the Table group, Open Network and Young Professionals Network.

Each year thousands of our associates around the world participate annual in Alcon in Action (AiA) event, our company-wide day of community volunteerism with a focus on health, hunger, and hygiene. These annual events give employees the opportunity to dedicate their workday to volunteer in the local communities where they live and work. These extremely popular ‘hands-on’ events are organised and managed by our employees directly.

Tony O’Reilly, Head of Engineering at Alcon Ireland, says: “Remarkable progress has been made in the last five years through projects that provide real-time data. These data-driven projects have facilitated informed decisions, resulting in the highest process yield levels in half a decade.” 

 Elimination of waste through process improvements has been a notable factor in this achievement. Technological innovation and access to real-time data in the manufacturing areas has revolutionized the site’s ability to meet customer demand while reducing carbon emissions. By producing precisely what is needed, overproduction and waste have been greatly reduced. By harnessing production equipment data, equipment utilization has been optimized, thereby curbing energy consumption.

In addition to talent development, Alcon places a strategic emphasis on heightening awareness about environmental stewardship by incorporating sustainable practices throughout the plant. This delivers important environmental benefits such as reduced carbon emissions, elimination of waste, improved reuse and recycling initiatives, and efficient use of raw materials. The company also reaps associated benefits such as better cost control, enhanced employee loyalty and engagement, and improved customer satisfaction.

Mark Kehoe, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at the Cork site, says: “The core of Alcon’s approach is the integration of Social Impact and Sustainability objectives into decision-making processes, with the aim of generating long-term value for all stakeholders.” 

 Alcon Ireland is certified to ISO 14001 and its sustainability strategy has shaped its priorities in the management of carbon emissions, waste, water, and energy usage. Environmental and Energy Management teams on site, with representation from all departments, have been key to these initiatives.

The next phase of Alcon’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is the reduction of fossil fuel burning at the site through electrification. This year sees the installation of the second heat pump, which will improve performance and efficiency while reducing carbon emissions significantly. This change marks another step on Alcon’s journey toward operational excellence through sustainability initiatives.

Alcon Ireland is a place where innovation, collaboration, and growth flourish. Alcon strives to improve lives and strengthen communities through world leadership in innovative eye care because when people see brilliantly, they live brilliantly. 

www.alcon.com