Experienced manufacturing leader Nigel Cannon joins Arrotek as Operations Manager as the company continues to expand its medical device contract manufacturing capabilities in Ireland.
Arrotek, a medical device design and contract manufacturing company based in Ireland, has appointed Nigel Cannon as Operations Manager as it continues to develop its medical device manufacturing capabilities at its 4,600 m² (50,000 sq. ft.) facility in Sligo.
Nigel brings more than 35 years of manufacturing and operational leadership experience to Arrotek, having held senior positions with companies including Boston Scientific, Abbott, Allergan, Phillips-Medisize and Meissner Filtration Products.
His appointment supports Arrotek’s continued investment in its Irish manufacturing operation, with a focus on developing the people, processes, equipment and capacity required to support customers from design transfer and process development through to pilot manufacturing, scale-up and commercial production.
Arrotek medical device manufacturing in Ireland – at a glance
- Location: Sligo, Ireland
- Facility: 4,600 m² / 50,000 sq. ft.
- Cleanrooms: Four state-of-the-art cleanrooms
- Quality system: ISO 13485 certified
- Manufacturing: Medical device contract manufacturing and production
- Capabilities: Catheter manufacturing and tipping, moulding, laser processing, braiding, coiling, bonding, welding, machining, assembly and packaging
- Production support: Design transfer, process development, pilot manufacturing, scale-up and commercial production
- Global manufacturing footprint: Ireland, US and Costa Rica
What medical device manufacturing capabilities does Arrotek offer?
Arrotek has been designing and manufacturing medical devices in Ireland for more than 20 years. Its Sligo operation provides a dedicated medical device manufacturing environment, combining engineering expertise with specialised manufacturing processes and quality-controlled production.
The facility supports a wide range of medical device applications, including complex catheters, minimally invasive devices and precision components.
Key contract manufacturing capabilities
- Complex Medical Device Manufacturing – Specialist expertise in difficult-to-manufacture catheters, minimally invasive devices and precision components.
- Broad In-House Capabilities – Moulding, laser processing, braiding, coiling, bonding, welding, machining, tipping, assembly and finishing under one organisation.
- End-to-End Manufacturing – Support from component manufacture and process development through to assembly, inspection, packaging and finished device.
- Advanced Process Expertise – Experience developing and controlling specialised processes for complex materials, tight tolerances and demanding medical device applications.
- Cleanroom & Quality-Controlled Manufacturing – Four controlled cleanroom environments supported by an ISO 13485-certified quality system and robust production controls.
- Flexible & Scalable Production – Support from pilot and initial production builds through to established commercial manufacturing and scale-up.
- Global Manufacturing Footprint – Manufacturing operations in Ireland, the US and Costa Rica, providing additional options for capacity, localisation and growth.
“We have built a strong manufacturing foundation in Sligo, and our focus now is on continuing to develop the capacity, processes and expertise required to support our customers as they scale,” says Ger O’Carroll, Co-Founder of Arrotek.
Strengthening operational leadership
Nigel’s experience across highly regulated manufacturing environments includes senior operational roles within medical devices and other technically demanding industries.
At Arrotek, he will support the continued development of the Sligo manufacturing operation, with a focus on operational processes, production capability and the infrastructure required to support customer growth.
“Arrotek already has a strong team and a very solid manufacturing foundation in Sligo,” says Nigel. “My focus is on building on that foundation, strengthening our operational processes and ensuring we have the capacity and capability to support customers as their products move into and through commercial production.”
Can Arrotek support medical devices from design transfer to commercial production?
Arrotek’s manufacturing model is designed to provide continuity as a medical device moves from development into production.
Design Transfer → Process Development → Pilot Manufacturing → Scale-Up → Commercial Production
By bringing engineering, process development and manufacturing capabilities together, Arrotek can work closely with customers throughout this transition.
This approach enables manufacturing processes to be developed, refined and transferred into production within an established medical device manufacturing environment, helping customers progress from development into commercial manufacturing.
For companies evaluating contract manufacturing partners, this provides access to an established ISO 13485-certified medical device manufacturing facility in Ireland, without the requirement to build and maintain their own manufacturing infrastructure.
Where does Arrotek manufacture medical devices?
Arrotek has a global manufacturing footprint spanning Ireland, the US and Costa Rica, giving customers access to different manufacturing capabilities and capacity as their requirements develop.
The Sligo facility provides a strong base for medical device manufacturing, process development and production scale-up in Ireland.
Arrotek’s manufacturing operation in Costa Rica provides additional capacity for high-volume production, while the US operation provides further manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
This network allows customers to work with one experienced medical device manufacturing partner while accessing additional capacity and manufacturing options as production requirements change.
Why manufacture medical devices in Ireland with Arrotek?
For medical device companies looking for an established manufacturing partner in Europe, Arrotek combines Irish manufacturing infrastructure, engineering expertise, specialised production capabilities and an ISO 13485-certified quality system.
The Sligo facility provides:
- 4,600 m² of dedicated manufacturing space
- Four state-of-the-art cleanrooms
- ISO 13485-certified quality systems
- Specialist catheter and minimally invasive device manufacturing
- Broad in-house manufacturing capabilities
- Support from design transfer through to commercial production
- Flexible production and scale-up capabilities
- Access to Arrotek’s wider global manufacturing network
The continued development of the Sligo operation, alongside the appointment of experienced operational leadership, reflects Arrotek’s commitment to expanding its medical device manufacturing capabilities in Ireland and supporting customers throughout the product lifecycle.
Meet the Arrotek team at Medical Technology Ireland
Arrotek will be exhibiting at Medical Technology Ireland at Galway Racecourse on 23–24 September 2026.
Visit Stand 19 to speak with the Arrotek team about medical device contract manufacturing, design transfer, production scale-up or additional manufacturing capacity.
If you are looking for a medical device manufacturing partner in Ireland, or considering the transfer of an existing product into commercial production, speak to the Arrotek team at the show or reach out to the team on [email protected]
