Healthcare firm Zimmer is to expand its footprint in Ireland with the creation of 250 new jobs over the next five years.

The company, which manufactures orthopaedic implants, is investing €51 million in a new hub in Oranmore, Co Galway.

The new facility will also be home to sales and marketing for a direct sales force in Ireland, supplying hospitals and orthopaedic surgeons with implants for hips, knees, extremities, spine and trauma.

It will also house an education facility for medics from around the world. Recruitment will begin in the coming months.

Zimmer already has a sizeable manufacturing facility in Shannon and currently employs 330 people in Ireland.

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton said: "Manufacturing is a sector which we have specifically targeted as part of our jobs plan, and in recent years we have seen an impressive jobs performance in this area, after years of decline during the 2000s."

“Companies in this area offer great potential in particular to deliver job-creation to regional locations.”

Adrian Furey, general manager for Zimmer Ireland said: "We are constantly assessing our worldwide operations and logistics network and this project is a direct result of that process."

“Zimmer has had a very positive experience of doing business in Ireland. We are looking forward to building on the success of our Shannon operation by expanding in Galway.”