100 jobs to go at Athlone factory

ALMOST 100 jobs are to be lost with the closure of an Athlone factory.

Nexans Ireland informed employees yesterday that its Athlone plant, which manufactures electrical cable, will close this summer, after 36 years.

The factory, which has been loss-making for the past 10 years said it cannot sustain any further losses.

Country manager for Ireland and Britain Paul Nelson said the company greatly regrets having to close its Athlone plant.

“Considerable efforts have been made by the employees over the past few years, resulting in some improvements in productivity,” he said.

“However, the company cannot sustain the losses resulting from the narrow commoditised product range, which is subject to relentless downward price pressure and severe competition.”

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, who is on a trade mission in Texas and California this week, was informed yesterday by Nexans that the decision to close is final, irrevocable and affects all 96 workers on the site.

Management said it will commence discussions with the relevant employee representatives and unions

The company hit the headlines in 2003 when workers went on strike following a row over the company’s failure to pay a 4% pay increase under the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF) agreement.