US ENGINEERING group Cameron Corporation yesterday announced 140 new jobs in an expansion of its Co Longford plant over the next five years on a day of mixed fortunes on the employment front.
The jobs will come as part of a €15 million investment in manufacturing and R&D facilities by Cameron, which specialises in oil and gas-pressure control equipment to the exploration industry.
Cameron Ireland, established in Co Longford in 1978, employs over 220 people. Initially it manufactured these products for the North Sea oilfield. However, over the years it has been given added responsibility and functions, such as a R&D centre, and has extended its mandate to cover Europe, Asia/Pacific and Middle East markets.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin welcomed the news, saying it would enhance the company's "already important economic contribution throughout the area".
The news came on a day when a series of job losses were announced on both sides of the Border.
Also in Longford, Kimball Electronics confirmed it was closing with the loss of 66 jobs as it transferred operations to Poland.
North of the Border, tea company Twinings announced the end of an era at iconic brand Nambarrie. Forty-three workers will lose jobs as the North's oldest tea company warned it would close its Belfast-manufacturing plant before the end of the year.
Parent group Twinings said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing competition in global food markets.
The Nambarrie sales and marketing team will remain in Belfast, as will outbound distribution, said the company.
Nambarrie managing director Brian Davis said consumers should be reassured that the Nambarrie brand would continue.
"We have been in Northern Ireland for over 100 years, and have developed into a local brand that people recognise."
Separately, Clones Poultry Processors in Co Monaghan said it was shutting down its business with the loss of 20 full-time jobs.
The news follows a similar decision last month by Grove Turkeys in nearby Smithboro with the loss of 130 jobs.
The managing director of Clones Poultry Processors, PJ McCague, yesterday blamed the decision on the weakness of sterling against the euro. More than 60 per cent of production was exported to the sterling zone.
