Jobs saved in reversal of decision

US-OWNED Microsemi has reversed its decision to close its Ennis electronics plant.

More than 100 workers in Ennis were told yesterday their jobs were safe following the announcement by an electronics company that it is to reverse a decision to close and instead will create 80 new jobs in the town.

Microsemi, an American semi- conductor company announced its decision to reverse the phase-out operations at its manufacturing facility in Ennis, County Clare, which means the future of 108 existing jobs is ensured.

The company also announced that it may create an additional 80 jobs over the next 12 months.

The news was welcomed by the business community in Ennis as well as local politicians.

“There are not a lot of large companies in Ennis and it’s great that a company of this stature has decided to stay in the town.

“We are delighted with the news that Microsemi is to remain committed to the town and it’s great to see that they have confidence in Ennis as a location for doing business,” said a spokeswoman from Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

The Microsemi Corporation announced in April last year its decision to close its operations in Ennis as a result of a corporate decision to consolidate production in its US facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona and Lawrence, Massachusetts, as both of these facilities had surplus capacity.

The company confirmed, at the time that 44 permanent and 87 temporary positions would be phased out over 12 to 18 months.

Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen said yesterday:“Microsemi’s change of plan is attributed to improved market conditions in the aerospace and commercial satellite market sectors for the company’s hi-rel products.

“Microsemi Ireland currently employs 108 people at the Ennis site and all of these people will be retained going forward. It is a welcome move and one that is likely to instil greater confidence in the region’s manufacturing sector.

“I am especially delighted to learn that Microsemi is looking at transferring additional capacity from a Microsemi Corporation location in Scottsdale, Arizona. Should this goes ahead it will create an additional 60 to 80 jobs at the Ennis site over 12 months.”

Microsemi Ireland has been in Ennis since 1992, when it acquired the Unitrode facility which set up there in 1979.