08/11/2001

Rodgers expresses concern at job losses in Lurgan

SDLP MLA for Upper Bann and Minister for Agriculture Brid Rodgers has expressed concern at the announcement of job losses at carpet tile manufacturers Interface Europe based in Lurgan.

She said: “The company which manufactures carpet tiles has said that it was proposing relocating the production of its backing process to other sites in England and Holland. The total job loss is expected to be 95. This is undoubtedly a blow to the workforce in Lurgan and to the local economy. I would appeal to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to ensure that we remain on top of the unemployment situation here.”

The company has announced the commencement of a 30-day consultation with employees in the Lurgan plant with a view to making 45 redundancies.

The relocation of the plant’s backing process operation will take approximately six months and will result in the loss of a further 50 jobs at Lurgan, taking the total job loss to 95.

The announcement follows a review by the company of the state and likely duration of the downturn in the market.

Interface Europe reports that since July the company has experienced a marked drop in its carpet tile business. (CD)

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