Deputy Willie Penrose has described the announcement of the loss of 32 jobs at Mullingar’s Taconic plant last week as a major blow. coming as it did on a ‘Black Friday’ for jobs.
The redundancies at the factory in Mullingar Business Park were made public last Friday, on the same day that almost 700 job losses were announced around the country.
More details are to be made available on Monday regarding the nature of the lay offs at Taconic as redundancy negotiations get underway.
Deputy Penrose said his thoughts were with the workers, who were facing uncertain futures.
“The announcement of 32 job losses in ADD division of Taconic International in Mullingar caps what can only be described as a Black Friday for jobs in Ireland.
“I have been speaking with some of the Taconic workers, and my thoughts first and foremost are with those who are to lose their jobs. There is no good time to face redundancy, but in the current economic circumstances, it is going to be particularly difficult for these workers to get back on their feet in the short term,” said Deputy Penrose.
In a statement released by Tatonic management last Friday, the company blamed the closure on “the continuous migration of the electronics industry into Asia”, and said the situation had been exacerbated by “the continuing weakness of the US dollar and the global economic slowdown”.
The redundancies stem from the decision of the company to cease the production of laminate products in its Advanced Dielectric Division in Mullingar. Eighty-five jobs are to be retained at the plant, while the company’s IPD (Industrial Products Division ) plant in Forest Park, Mullingar will not be affected.
“Obviously Taconic senior management members are extremely disappointed and regret having to make this announcement. We recognise the commitment and effort everyone has made throughout the years and we are extremely grateful. We are committed to working with our employees and their union representatives to ensure that the reduction in workforce numbers is done in the best possible manner to secure the future of remaining business in Mullingar,” read the statement.
While paying tribute to the company‘s contribution to Mullingar, Deputy Penrose urged the Tanaiste and IDA to move to secure the future of the company, and to encourage industry into Mullingar.
“Taconic has become part and parcel of the economic and business life in the town since it in Mullingar in 1975, and indeed has been a very good employer providing work for well over 120 employees in that time.
“While I welcome the fact that the plant is to remain in operation, and that 85 jobs are to be retained, it is incumbent on the Tanaiste and on her Department to liaise closely with management and to leave no stone unturned in the effort to ensure the future viability of the company.
“Further, I wish to reiterate my call on the IDA to redouble their efforts to bring industry to Marlinstown Industry Park in Mullingar. In this context I have made contact with Barry O’Leary, chief executive of the IDA and Mr Kevin McCarthy, regional director, and I am seeking to meet them to impress upon them, the urgency of doing so, in view of this recent announcement.”
