A US-owned medical equipment production company in Co Antrim is to make some 30 employees redundant, it was announced today.
Tyco Healthcare in Ballymoney said it regretted that due to a recent reduction in the volume of orders and with no foreseeable increase, it would have no alternative but to reduce manufacturing activity in the next few months.
Plant manager Rui dos Santos said: "As a result of this manufacturing reduction, we will unfortunately be placed in a possible redundancy situation."
He said the company had today commenced redundancy consultation discussions with union representatives and their Workers' Forum which would last for a 30-day period. "Regrettably, our proposal may result in the loss of approximately 30 jobs across the plant," said Mr Santos.
Tyco currently employ 270 people at the plant which has been in continuous operation in Ballymoney for the past 36 years. It produces needles, syringes and other single use medical equipment.
Tyco is the second US owned medical equipment company in the North to suffer problems in recent weeks. West Belfast-based Trivirix shed 76 jobs last month when it went into administration.
Last week the court appointed administrator secured a short term loan from Invest Northern Ireland to keep the company running until the end of the month, maintaining the remaining 35 jobs, while he seeks a buyer.