550 jobs lost as seat belts plant shuts

THE manufacturing sector in the North suffered another body blow yesterday when a Japanese-owned car components company announced it was closing its east Belfast factory with the loss of 550 jobs.

TK-ECC, formerly known as Fisher Body, which makes seat belts, is expected to close in weeks following negotiations with the unions. Managers are blaming “overwhelming competition” from abroad.

Peter Williamson, regional secretary of the Amicus union, said the announcement had come “completely out of the blue” for both the workforce and union.