27/10/2004
Sandy Row tobacco plant to close
Over 60 jobs look set to go with the closure of a pipe tobacco plant in south Belfast it emerged today.
The owners of Murray and Sons said it was proposing to close its plant on Sandy Row with the loss of 63 jobs because of “a fall in global demand for pipe tobacco as well as rising costs”.
A spokesperson for the firm said that the decision was regrettable given its 200-year history in Belfast.
"Whilst our production is decreasing by an average of 7% per year, our costs are rising by 10%," he said.
"It has therefore been concluded that we can be more competitive if we outsource our pipe tobacco production to an external supplier.”
The firm, which is owned by British American Tobacco, sells its products to 45 countries around the world.
Established in Belfast in 1810, the firm produces well-known pipe tobacco brands such as Dunhill, Erinmore and Craven and became a member of the British American Tobacco Group as part of the merger with Rothmans International in June 1999.
(MB/GMCG)
The owners of Murray and Sons said it was proposing to close its plant on Sandy Row with the loss of 63 jobs because of “a fall in global demand for pipe tobacco as well as rising costs”.
A spokesperson for the firm said that the decision was regrettable given its 200-year history in Belfast.
"Whilst our production is decreasing by an average of 7% per year, our costs are rising by 10%," he said.
"It has therefore been concluded that we can be more competitive if we outsource our pipe tobacco production to an external supplier.”
The firm, which is owned by British American Tobacco, sells its products to 45 countries around the world.
Established in Belfast in 1810, the firm produces well-known pipe tobacco brands such as Dunhill, Erinmore and Craven and became a member of the British American Tobacco Group as part of the merger with Rothmans International in June 1999.
(MB/GMCG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 July 2011
Ballymena Cigs Factory Accident Probed
An investigation is under way after a man was injured in an industrial accident in Ballymena yesterday. Machinery fell on the man as it was being serviced.
Ballymena Cigs Factory Accident Probed
An investigation is under way after a man was injured in an industrial accident in Ballymena yesterday. Machinery fell on the man as it was being serviced.
24 July 2001
Pipe bomb attacks continue in Country Antrim
County Antrim has been the focus of several overnight incidents involving pipe bombs, which saw one Portrush man narrowly escape injury when his house was singled out for attack. The device was thrown through the window of the house in Glenmanus Park at around midnight on Monday 23 July, but failed to go off.
Pipe bomb attacks continue in Country Antrim
County Antrim has been the focus of several overnight incidents involving pipe bombs, which saw one Portrush man narrowly escape injury when his house was singled out for attack. The device was thrown through the window of the house in Glenmanus Park at around midnight on Monday 23 July, but failed to go off.
02 July 2013
L'Derry To Host All Ireland Pipe Championships
More than 2,000 musicians in over 70 Pipe Bands are expected to converge in L'Derry this summer to contest the 68th All Ireland Pipe Band Championship, at St Columb's Park. The event is coming to L'Derry as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations.
L'Derry To Host All Ireland Pipe Championships
More than 2,000 musicians in over 70 Pipe Bands are expected to converge in L'Derry this summer to contest the 68th All Ireland Pipe Band Championship, at St Columb's Park. The event is coming to L'Derry as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations.
05 July 2011
Helicopter 'Top Cover' As Bomb Defused
Suburban Glengormley returned to normal yesterday evening after the Army dealt with a pipe bomb in Harmin Park. The PSNI helicopter was overhead of the Newtownabbey district - close to north Belfast - for most of Monday afternoon and some residents were asked to leave their homes, while the examination was carried out.
Helicopter 'Top Cover' As Bomb Defused
Suburban Glengormley returned to normal yesterday evening after the Army dealt with a pipe bomb in Harmin Park. The PSNI helicopter was overhead of the Newtownabbey district - close to north Belfast - for most of Monday afternoon and some residents were asked to leave their homes, while the examination was carried out.
07 December 2017
Tobacco Firm Discriminated Against Worker On Grounds Of Age
A tobacco firm discriminated against a 66-year-old man, who worked for Gallaher's factory in Ballymena for 27 years, by refusing to offer him the same redundancy as younger employees, a tribunal has found. Bernard Barlow was excluded from the firm's enhanced severance package when its factory in Ballymena closed.
Tobacco Firm Discriminated Against Worker On Grounds Of Age
A tobacco firm discriminated against a 66-year-old man, who worked for Gallaher's factory in Ballymena for 27 years, by refusing to offer him the same redundancy as younger employees, a tribunal has found. Bernard Barlow was excluded from the firm's enhanced severance package when its factory in Ballymena closed.