100 jobs to go as Daktronics to close facility in Clare

Daktronics has notified employees in Ireland it will begin a phased exit over next 12 months

A display at Heuston. Digital display firm Daktronics is to close its factory in Co Clare, the company announced on Wednesday evening, with the loss of 100 jobs.

Digital display firm Daktronics is to close its factory in Co Clare, the company announced on Wednesday evening, with the loss of 100 jobs. 

Daktronics has notified its 100 employees in Ireland that over the next 12 months, it will begin a phased exit and cease operations. The US multinational based at Ennistymon is a leader in in digital display and control system technology used in the transportation business including rail and bus stations. Last month, it warned it was considering exiting the sector outside North America. 

"Because the Daktronics Ireland manufacturing facility has primarily supported this business, in accordance with local laws, Daktronics consulted with its Ireland employees on the future viability of the facility. Unfortunately, no sustainable alternative was identified during the consultation process to support the business and continued operations in Ennistymon," a statement from the company said.

Judd Guthmiller, Vice President, International said; “It is with deep regret that we make today’s announcement. This has been a very difficult decision and has not been taken lightly, but market realities have made it unavoidable. It does not diminish the enormous contribution our Ireland colleagues have made to the Company and to our customers and our focus now is on supporting the team through the closure process in the best way possible.” 

Founded in 1968 in the US, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation, with offices around the globe and over 14,000 railway displays and 15,000 bus and tram displays supplied worldwide, as well as 8,000 airport displays. Daktronics solutions include LED and LCD signage used at Irish rail hubs, including concourse displays with up-to-the-minute departure and arrival times.

Daktronics has been operating in Ennistymon for 12 years, after it purchased a local company called Data Display.

In September, Daktronics reported quarterly revenues of $234.6m (€202.3m), a 7.1% increase from the $219m (€118m). The company reported operating income of $24.9 million, 7.2% growth from $23.3m in the previous quarter. New orders for products and services stood at $191.8m, down from $238.5m in the previous quarter.