Coca-Cola set to lay-off 290 workers

THE jobs of 290 workers in Dublin and Greenore are to be lost following Coca-Cola Bottlers decision to locate an €80m all-Ireland production facility in Antrim.

The decision by the company to consolidate existing production sites in Dublin, Greenore and Lisburn to a new facility at Knockmore Hill, Co. Antrim comes after the company looked at more that 60 potential sites.

"It will take close to 18 months to develop the single all-island facility," managing director Alfie Lydon said.

"While such a significant transformation will present new challenges for all who work for Coca-Cola Bottlers in Ireland, the greatest impact will be among production and warehouse staff at Naas Road and Greenore where job losses will occur.

"There are 290 staff currently employed in production, warehousing and bottle manufacturing at these locations. We are entering a period of consultation with our employees and their representatives about the implications of this decision."

Mr Lydon said in making such a large, long-term investment they required a site with the highest quality water in sufficient volumes as close as possible to one of our existing facilities and with a good road infrastructure.

"When the new facility has been completed, all production and warehousing, currently carried out at the Naas Road, Lambeg and Greenore, will move to Knockmore Hill. Our existing facilities will continue to operate for approximately 18 months, during which time a detailed transition plan will be developed. When the move has been fully completed, the three existing plants will cease to operate," he said.

Depots located in Galway, Killarney, Tipperary, Cork, and Omagh are not affected by yesterday's announcement.