KINGSPAN INSULATION Ltd in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, is to lay off 19 workers at its Bree plant tomorrow.
The company employs 130 people and the axing of 19 jobs will reduce insulation manufacturing at the plant from four shifts to three. Kingspan Insulation manufactures high performance rigid insulation for floors, walls, and roofs.
The firm has blamed a slowdown in construction activity for the job losses. The workers were informed of possible job losses two weeks ago.
At a company briefing on Friday last, management told workers that job losses were inevitable. The 19 layoffs were then confirmed to union representatives on Tuesday night. Kingspan Insulation managing director Pat Freeman said yesterday that the firm has invested heavily in its Castleblayney plant in the last two years with the introduction of its new Cooltherm product range.
"We see these layoffs as being temporary until the construction industry recovers, which we would expect to happen within the next 12 months. We regret the loss of these positions, but we see ourselves as being well-positioned when that recovery occurs."
Johnny Kellett, area representative for the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union which represents the Kingspan workers being laid off, was less optimistic.
"It is unfortunate that these workers are losing their jobs . . . it is going to take much longer than 12 months for things to recover. Despite our efforts, I think these jobs are gone for good," he said.