Horseware to cut 51 jobs

Horseware, the Louth-based maker of horse blankets, has laid off 51 staff due to a slump in sales in the US.

The company, which employs around 170 staff, said it would close its manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co Cavan this week with the loss of 36 jobs.

A further 15 administrative staff are to be let go early next year at the company's Dundalk base.

The company was set up in 1985 and has manufacturing operations in Dundalk, Co Louth, Kingscourt Co Cavan and in North Carolina in the US.

In early 1998 Horseware opened a distribution center in Australia.

Well known in the equestrian industry for its "Rambo" label horse blankets, the company will employ 122 staff following the redundancies.