Closure of Cork factory threatens 150 jobs

MORE THAN 150 jobs are under threat due to the closure of a supplier of ready-made meals.

Management at Swissco has entered consultations with the workforce and their union representatives to discuss the future of the Little Island factory in Cork.

The company, which employs 154 full and part-time employees, opened its Cork plant in 1974.

Swissco issued a statement yesterday in which it announced that the factory, which produces a range of chilled and ambient (room temperature) ready-made meals and soups, had been unprofitable "for a prolonged period of time".

A Swissco spokeswoman said it had become clear that the company would not be able to secure sufficient business to make the factory viable.

"Whilst Swissco Ltd believes the only solution is to close the factory, it will be engaging in a full consultation process with employees and employee representatives to look at alternative options. Likewise, where closure or further redundancies is the final outcome, the company is committed to finding alternative roles for its staff, who are willing to relocate, wherever possible," stated the spokeswoman.

Swissco is part of International Cuisine Limited, a UK-based ready-meal supplier.

The announcement comes three years after the company signed a €6 million deal with Musgrave SuperValu to supply the supermarket chain with a wide range of convenience meals.

Fine Gael Cork East TD David Stanton said the company's statement that closing the plant seemed the only "viable option" would come as a kick in the teeth to the Little Island workers, some of whom had been employed in the factory for decades.

"The loss of these jobs is another body blow to the Cork region already suffering under jobs cuts elsewhere and the tumbling economy," he stated.

Mr Stanton expressed his disappointment that the decision had been taken to close the plant and has called on the Government, the IDA and other State agencies to begin discussions immediately with the international owners to initiate some form of survival plan.

Noel Murphy, an employee of Swissco said, "It's not easy out there now. There are 150 people here in the same boat, some of them have been working here for 30 years."