THE car components company, Montupet, which two months ago announced a £142 million expansion backed by the IDB, creating over 1,300 jobs, is to make as many as 100 workers redundant. Montupet is also introducing a four day week in what it says is a response to a fall off in orders in the wheels division.
Montupet employs around 450 people in Belfast making alloy wheels and cylinder heads for companies including Ford, Renault, and Peugeot. The company set up its operation in the old De Lorean car plant in 1990.
At the time it said that it would eventually employ 900 people. An expansion plan announced at the time of President Clinton's visit revised this to 2,300.
Union officials there say they expect a massive vote in favour of strike action from workers demanding a 9.25 per cent pay rise, compared with 4.75 per cent being offered by the company.
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