United States-based contract sterilisation and laboratory testing services company Steris is the preferred bidder to acquire Cardinal Health's plant at the IDA Industrial Park in Tullamore, County Offaly, which is scheduled to cease operations in April, according to an Ireland Live report.

The sale is anticipated to be finalised by June and will create new positions at the facility. Due diligence on the transaction is scheduled to commence immediately, with completion expected by end-June subject to successful review.

Councillor Shane Murray, who disclosed the development, described it as a substantial investment in Tullamore and welcomed the IDA Industrial Park returning to full capacity with a major sterilisation operation. Steris operates across the healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, providing sterilisation and testing services to manufacturers globally.

Cardinal Health announced its unexpected closure last year, resulting in the loss of dozens of positions at the Offaly facility. The acquisition by Steris represents continuity of pharmaceutical sector operations at the site and maintains the industrial park's manufacturing capacity.

The transaction aligns with IDA Ireland's efforts to secure alternative uses for the facility following Cardinal Health's withdrawal announcement. IDA Ireland previously confirmed it was exploring all opportunities for the site to maintain employment and manufacturing capabilities in the midlands region.

Steris's acquisition of the Tullamore facility strengthens the company's European footprint in pharmaceutical sterilisation services, a critical component of manufacturing operations for medical devices and pharmaceutical products requiring validated sterilisation processes before market distribution.

The finalisation of the sale will provide certainty to former Cardinal Health employees and the wider Tullamore business community following months of uncertainty about the facility's future following the closure announcement.

Read the complete report on Steris's Tullamore acquisition and pharmaceutical services expansion strategy.