Up to 260 manufacturing jobs are at risk after a Co Antrim firm today said it would begin shutting down operations in February.
Ballymoney-based Tyco Health Care, which manufactures medical equipment like syringes, told staff about the closure this afternoon.
Local DUP MLA Mervyn Storey described the news as "a devastating blow to the town".
He said he had spoken to jobs creation agency Invest NI and Trade Minister Nigel Dodds and they had pledged to do all they could to help those made redundant.