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14/01/2008
US Downturn Hits Belleek Jobs
The global 'credit crunch' and the associated downturn in the US economy has been directly blamed for the loss of over a dozen jobs at a prestigious Co Fermanagh company, while there have been further loses in Co Armagh where almost half the workforce at a Portadown firm are facing redundancy, due to the growing demand for 'green' products.
A failing US economy has been blamed for a decision to cut 13 jobs at Belleek Pottery, which manufactures a much-sought-after range of specialist 'luxury' artefacts which particularly target the stateside market.
Emphasising the county's tourist trade and its linkage with the historic pottery, SDLP MLA Tommy Gallagher said: "This is worrying news for the area because, even though the numbers may not be very high in terms of the total workforce, the reason given is the downturn in the vital US market."
He said the pottery had been the mainstay of the local economy for the past 150 years.
"Everyone understands the global competitive pressures on our manufacturing industries, but this is an absolutely unique product which is worthy of protection, not only for the local jobs, but for its powerful input into our tourism in the north and indeed across the island of Ireland."
Invest Northern Ireland had invested heavily in Belleek Pottery, said the MLA, and he would be meeting with Enterprise Minister Nigel Dodds to impress on him that the flagship industry was of vital importance to the whole economy.
"It is important to recognise that the location is an inherent part of the brand, so there must be no question of moving to any other location in response to market pressures," he said.
Meanwhile, a statement from Huhtamaki in Portadown, which manufactures plastic packaging, confirmed that 40 of the 105 employees are leaving on a voluntary redundancy scheme and that further losses are inevitable.
Philip Woolsey, manufacturing manager, said a " generous" redundancy package had been offered to employees and that it had been in touch with employment agencies and Invest NI to find alternative employment for those being laid off.
It is the latest is a steady decline in the packaging industry in the town and now the future of the entire operation in Portadown is believed to be in jeopardy.
(BMcC)
A failing US economy has been blamed for a decision to cut 13 jobs at Belleek Pottery, which manufactures a much-sought-after range of specialist 'luxury' artefacts which particularly target the stateside market.
Emphasising the county's tourist trade and its linkage with the historic pottery, SDLP MLA Tommy Gallagher said: "This is worrying news for the area because, even though the numbers may not be very high in terms of the total workforce, the reason given is the downturn in the vital US market."
He said the pottery had been the mainstay of the local economy for the past 150 years.
"Everyone understands the global competitive pressures on our manufacturing industries, but this is an absolutely unique product which is worthy of protection, not only for the local jobs, but for its powerful input into our tourism in the north and indeed across the island of Ireland."
Invest Northern Ireland had invested heavily in Belleek Pottery, said the MLA, and he would be meeting with Enterprise Minister Nigel Dodds to impress on him that the flagship industry was of vital importance to the whole economy.
"It is important to recognise that the location is an inherent part of the brand, so there must be no question of moving to any other location in response to market pressures," he said.
Meanwhile, a statement from Huhtamaki in Portadown, which manufactures plastic packaging, confirmed that 40 of the 105 employees are leaving on a voluntary redundancy scheme and that further losses are inevitable.
Philip Woolsey, manufacturing manager, said a " generous" redundancy package had been offered to employees and that it had been in touch with employment agencies and Invest NI to find alternative employment for those being laid off.
It is the latest is a steady decline in the packaging industry in the town and now the future of the entire operation in Portadown is believed to be in jeopardy.
(BMcC)
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