A Dublin printing facility owned by a US multinational is to close with the loss of almost 170 jobs.Workers at the plant were told the news yesterday.

Union representatives are seeking a meeting to discuss the surprise development.

In a short statement, Modus Media International said it was with great regret that it was closing its Dublin Print Solutions plant at Clonshaugh, Coolock, Co Dublin. The plant was formerly known as Irish Printers. Other operations owned by Modus in Swords, Co Dublin, Kildare, and Limerick, will not be affected by the development, according to the statement.

The Modus group, whose headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts, has its European headquarters in Swords. It employs approximately 450 people in the Irish operations not affected by yesterday's development.

The decision to close the printing facility "is based on economic factors and the continuing downturn in the printing market, in particular the technical publications market", the company said in the statement.

"For the Dublin print plant this has resulted in an unsustainable operation and the company is taking action to de-invest in this sector.

"The company has informed all employees of this decision and in the coming days will be meeting with all our union colleagues and administration representatives to agree on severance and ensure an orderly shutdown."