THE FOUNDER of Dell computers made a rare visit to the company’s Limerick operations yesterday – the first time since 1,900 manufacturing workers lost their jobs at the plant in 2009.
Michael Dell addressed the 1,000 remaining workers at lunchtime yesterday to brief them on the future of the company. It’s believed staff were told their jobs were safe, but Mr Dell’s speech to the troops remained top secret.
“It’s business as usual. There is no statement,” a spokeswoman for Dell said.
A major landscaping operation had swung into action in recent days in preparation for Mr Dell’s visit. The spring-clean around the Raheen facility included fresh coats of paint, flower installations, grass-cutting and the clearing of drains.
Dell shut its manufacturing plant in Raheen in 2009 and moved its assembly line to Lodz in Poland, where workers were paid less than their Irish counterparts.
For 17 years, the Limerick manufacturing plant was responsible for the assembly of notebook computers, desk tops and servers for all of Dell’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa customers.
It is believed up to 6,000 jobs were lost through various service industries because of the closure of the Limerick manufacturing base.
It is understood Mr Dell will visit the company’s operations in Cherrywood in Dublin today.