Rising costs blamed as 320 jobs lost to cheaper location

RISING operating costs were blamed yesterday for the loss of 320 Cork jobs.

Donal Sullivan, general manager of Tyco Safety Products, Bishopstown, Cork, said despite intense efforts, over the past two years in particular, by the company and staff and assisted by the IDA, they could not reduce costs enough and subsequently the company was no longer competitive. There was no other option but to close the manufacturing plant and move to a cheaper location so that they could remain competitive in a global market, he said.

Tyco is a part of the American-based Tyco International, which took over the former Sensormatic plant on the Melbourn Road a few years ago. It has been based in Bishopstown since the early 1980s and makes security devices, including hi-tech security tags found on products like clothes and CDs.