Factory to close with loss of 234 jobs

THE town of Youghal in Co Cork has been industrially undermined again, with the shock announcement yesterday of 234 job losses at the Technicolour Home Entertainment Services (THES) factory.

Just before Christmas, the town was dealt a severe blow when the US-based telecom equipment-maker Artesyn announced it was to close with the loss of 160 jobs.

The east Cork region has been shunted closer to total economic disaster with yesterday’s grim news, delivered by Dr Paul Smith, director and general manager of THES.

The factory is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe, with THES part of the global Thomson’s digital media business.

The Youghal CD-making operation will shut down in March and be relocated at THES facilities in Poland and Cwmbran, Wales.

Dr Smith said the closure had been brought about by geographical and economic reasons.

The decision to axe 234 jobs was no reflection on the calibre of the work force, he stressed.

It was all about getting the product from the factory to the shop shelves as soon as possible and the company’s Welsh facility was better placed than Youghal to cater to the British market, he said.

The factory was non-union and Dr Smith declined to discuss what financial compensation, if any, would be given to workers.

“Technicolour will provide a comprehensive package of support to assist affected employees in identifying and securing alternative employment,” he pledged.

The company was based in a 120,000sq ft facility in the town, and was recently bought from the US-based Eastman Kodak company.

The Fine Gael TD David Stanton said that the news was yet another devastating blow for the town of Youghal.

Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern said that he would discuss the situation with the Tánaiste Mary Harney, “impressing on her the urgent need to ensure that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland market the town of Youghal as a prime location for investment”.