Closure of Tyrone firm leads to loss of 85 jobs

A Co Tyrone manufacturing firm which produces CDs announced today that it is to close next month with the loss of 85 jobs.

A Co Tyrone manufacturing firm which produces CDs announced today that it is to close next month with the loss of 85 jobs.

Rixell CD in Omagh is owned by the Taiwanese company Ritek which blamed escalating costs and low-cost imports from India and China for the decision.

"Ritek Corporation greatly regrets the decision and the impact it is likely to have in the Omagh district," it said in a statement.

"Although productivity at the plant compares favourably with other sites, its financial position has worsened considerably in recent months because of continuing extremely difficult conditions affecting the CD industry and the market as a whole."

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West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty was critical of the decision describing Ritek as a "fly-by-night company" that only set up to secure £3 million in grant aid.

He also hit out the treatment of workers who found out about the decision when they arrived for work this morning.

"The shock and devastation being felt among workers has been compounded by the complete insensitivity of Ritek and the lack of any forewarning.

"I have been in touch with Invest NI from early morning about this devastating announcement and I know that the investment body share my serious concerns about not only how the workforce have been treated but also about the terms of the £3 million grant aid that has been invested," he said.

Ritek has invested £27.7m in its factory since it opened in 2002. More than 50 jobs were lost two years ago when the company relocated its printing and packaging operation to mainland Europe.