Forty textile workers to lose jobs

FORTY workers at an East Cork textile factory will lose their jobs before Christmas, when the company closes its doors after nearly 60 years of operation.

Due to a lack of financial resources, employees at Seafield Technical Textiles in Youghal will not be offered any additional redundancy package, said managing director John Parker, who blamed the closure on competition from low-cost economies.

The company manufactures fabric for workwear and luggage. It will begin winding down almost immediately and will close within eight weeks.

"Rising costs at home and the availability of cheaper products in the Far East are some of reasons we had to close," said Mr Parker.

The factory has closed and reopened three times since it established in Youghal in 1946. It has been operating under current management for 15 years.

Mr Parker said all the staff are from the locality and some have been working at the factory for 40 years.

"We have contemplated the options open to us, but we won't be relocating," he said.

Staff were informed of the closure at a meeting yesterday (Monday) morning and, according to Mr Parker, many were disappointed but nobody was surprised.

"I would like to praise the staff and the management who were a great support over the years," he said.

The factory is located opposite the greyhound track in Youghal and Mr Parker said the building will go on sale this week.

About 97% of Seafield's products are exported to countries such as Britain, Germany and Sweden. Mr Parker said that one area which suffered huge losses is the manufacturing of post bags in Germany. He indicated that different ways of handling post in Germany was one of the reasons for the significant loss of business.

Meanwhile, East Cork Fine Gael TD David Stanton said Seafield was one of the last factories in Youghal and the town could not afford any further job losses.

"The loss of Seafield Fabrics is yet another huge blow to the local economy of Youghal.

"This is the latest in a series of closures of factories in Youghal in recent years, where many large employers have been compelled to end their operations," said Mr Stanton.

"We need to create a sustainable industry in Youghal and bring jobs back into the town," he said.