Jobs in balance in Mackies rescue talks

Talks continued between the management of Mackies engineering plant in west Belfast and investors last night as efforts were …

Talks continued between the management of Mackies engineering plant in west Belfast and investors last night as efforts were made to save the ailing company. The announcement yesterday that more than 200 jobs were at risk at the company came in the wake of a statement by another Northern-based company, FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd, that 400 employees were to be shed from its plant in Larne, County Antrim.

Antrim was hit with news of job losses again yesterday with the announcement that a further 80 jobs are to go at the Carrickfergus-based cosmetics plant, Nectar Ltd. Managing Director Mr David Fish said he greatly regretted having to make such a painful decision. The company, which supplies goods to 300 franchise shops worldwide, has filed for voluntary liquidation. Efforts by Mackies to take over a British engineering plant are believed to have failed in recent weeks and, with them, the opportunity to increase company profits.