Hollister Incorporated Expands Operations in Lithuania

Hollister Incorporated, a US-based developer and manufacturer of ostomy, continence care, and critical care products, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities at its Kaunas plant by investing $25 million in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies.

Hollister continues to experience tremendous growth in its ostomy business, driven primarily by its skin health products CeraPlus™ and TRE™ Product Portfolios*. An ostomy is a surgically created opening that connects the gastrointestinal or urinary system to the skin. A person may need an ostomy due to cancer, intestinal distress, spinal injury, or a variety of other health conditions.

To support this growth, the company is expanding its manufacturing capacity at its site in Kaunas, Lithuania. Over the next four years, Hollister’s multi-million dollar investment in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies will contribute heavily to the development of a team of nearly 600 specialists in the Kaunas site. During its groundbreaking ceremony in 2017, Hollister anticipated creating more than 300 jobs in Kaunas. It has since doubled expectations, and will continuously recruit engineering, quality assurance and production talent.

The Kaunas manufacturing facility opened its doors in late 2019 and has quickly become a center of excellence for the Hollister Manufacturing network. In 2020, it commenced production of continence care products in what is one of the largest cleanrooms in the Baltics – a sterile ISO 8 and ISO 14644 compliant factory premises designed for specialized industrial production or research. The continence care production line was launched a full year ahead of plan.

Lithuania was a natural choice for Hollister, as Michael Brennan, General Manager at Hollister Lietuva, explains, “We wanted to build in a country where we could do business consistent with our principles and our culture. The open and welcoming attitude that we received in Lithuania – from the government, the investment agency, the local mayors, the universities, and the business community – convinced us that we could do business in Lithuania consistent with our principles and our culture and that we could enter into successful, long-term relationships here.”

The company is also a very important stakeholder in the Kaunas community. Hollister has established partnerships with local education institutions such as Kaunas University of Technology and Kaunas University of Applied Sciences. Through the co-creation of initiatives like career days and joint projects, as well as the provision of paid internships, Hollister Lietuva is helping to develop local talent. The company has also sponsored the Kaunas Marathon for the past four years, and has been responsible for organizing cultural initiatives with the local Ramučiai community.

According to Elijus Čivilis, General Manager at Invest Lithuania, “Having such trusted long-term partnerships that not only help transform the local business sector but also the community at large is invaluable. We are proud to have such an important industry player successfully expand their operations in Kaunas. Their growth serves as proof that Kaunas provides a favorable business environment with a rich talent pool needed for the swift growth of Hollister Lietuva and other manufacturing companies.”

About Hollister Incorporated

Hollister Incorporated is an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products worldwide. The company develops and manufactures products for ostomy care, continence care and critical care, and also develops educational support materials for patients and healthcare professionals. Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, it has manufacturing and distribution centers on three continents and sells in nearly 80 countries. Hollister is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Firm of John Dickinson Schneider Inc (JDS Inc.), a 100-year-old company. Hollister is guided by the shared Mission of JDS Inc., to make life more rewarding and dignified for people who use its products and services. www.hollister.com

Hollister Lietuva is the company’s newest manufacturing plant in the Kaunas FEZ territory, Lithuania. The plant was officially opened in 2019 and produces ostomy and continence care products.

*CeraPlus Products contain the Remois Technology of Alcare Co., Ltd.

*CeraPlus is a trademark of Hollister Incorporated and TRE is a trademark of Dansac A/S