Wyeth Medica in Newbridge looked like a factory that should be taking on workers, not shedding them, yesterday.
Several planning permission notices fluttered in the breeze at the factory entrance while dozens of construction workers came and went. A crane reached into the sky at the side of the manufacturing facility.
But inside, workers were being told that 250 permanent staff would be laid off within the next two years. It is understood a further 50 temporary staff will also be let go.
Michael Aherne, from near Portlaoise, has worked in Wyeth for more than 13 years.
"We knew that there was an announcement coming but it was a big shock when the number was announced," he said.
"We weren't expecting that many jobs. We thought it would be on a smaller scale. It's a shock to a lot of people."
He said it would be a major blow for the midlands, not just Newbridge. "It's the biggest factory in the midlands nearly, as regards employment. With contractors and everything in there, you are talking over 1,500 people from surrounding towns like Portlaoise and Tullamore. You have even Dublin people driving down here.
"To get a reasonably well-paid job, you nearly have to travel to Dublin now and with the traffic situation you wouldn't want to be travelling from Tullamore."
Unlike Michael Aherne, Ronan Kane from Athy is one of Wyeth's newest recruits.
He started working in the quality department a few weeks ago. "It's grand here. Everyone is real nice," he said. Asked if he was worried about losing his job, he said, "not really. I'm only after joining so if they let me off I'll go somewhere else."
His colleague, Carlos Asuncion from Spain, took a similar attitude. "Of course I am worried but it's not going to be the end of the world. If I lose my job, I will just move on. What else can I do? But a lot of people who are supporting their families cannot afford to lose their jobs," he said.
After nine years in Wyeth, Kevin Murtagh, from Tullamore, knows many of the workers who cannot afford to lose their jobs.
"We could see that volumes were low over the last six months but it was still a shock to hear it this morning. Of course it was," he said.
"Nothing has been negotiated or discussed on how selection is going to be made or who's going to go. We just know what areas and numbers."
Wojtek Mazurek, from Poland, found himself observing the situation while not really being affected. He started working for a cleaning company in Wyeth one week ago.
"This morning I hear about the meeting. They will probably lose about 200 persons," he said.
Many workers would not talk to the media as they left work yesterday.