Wicklow received mixed news on the jobs front today as a new ceramic tile plant opened in the county just hours before the closure of a radiator factory was announced.
The €8 million extension at Turkish-owned company VitrA's Arklow facility created 30 new jobs, while the Quinn Group revealed it is to close its Veha radiator plant in Wicklow town with the loss of 93 jobs.
That plant had been in operation since 1966 and became part of the Quinn Group in May 2004, following its acquisition of the Barlo Group. The company said the decision to close followed a detailed review of the plant's operation, which found it had a number of environmental issues to address and that the market for the round-top radiator product which it produces is in decline.
"The plant will close in a month's time, thereby allowing for an acceptable period to agree appropriate severance terms with employee representatives. Management will begin this process immediately," a spokesman said. "This decision is unique to Wicklow and will have no implications for Quinn's Clonmel plant, which services a different end of the radiator market."
Meanwhile, the extension to VitrA's Arklow plant, which already employs 80 people, has increased its production capacity by almost 60 per cent. VitrA has had a base in the country since 1998 and is aiming to raise its turnover to €20.8 million in 2005 - from five per cent to eight per cent of the market.
The new plant, which brings the workforce to 110, will increase the production capacity from 1.2 million to 1.8 million square metres of tiles.
The company makes high quality porcelain and ceramic tiles and sanitary ware.
Around €16.6 million has been invested in the Arklow plant since it was established in 1998 as a joint venture with ceramics manufacturer Qualceram.
VitrA employs 1,000 people worldwide.
PA