More textile jobs under threat

113 jobs are under threat at the Magee plant

The Northern Ireland textile industry has suffered a further blow with more than 110 jobs under threat in County Antrim.

Magee Clothing Limited has announced it is entering into a period of consultation over the future of manufacturing at its plant in Ballymena.

Closure of the plant would result in the loss of 113 jobs. The company said it has entered a 90-day consultation period following poor market conditions.

"The cost differential between the Ballymena production and offshore is wide," said Ian McAvoy, from Magee Clothing.

It is hard to see manufacturing remaining in this site

Ian McAvoy Magee

"It is hard to see manufacturing remaining in this site.

Magee has confirmed that sales, distribution and administration will continue to be performed in Northern Ireland.

The company said it deeply regretted the decision and would do all they could to help their workers find alternative employment.

Realistic alternatives

The Magee announcement come less than a day after the news that about 140 textiles jobs are under threat in County Armagh.

Consultation is underway between unions and management at the former Courtaulds Jersey plant in Lurgan, now known as Penn Nyla.

A 90-day consultation period will investigate the possibilities of any realistic alternatives to closing the factory.

The GMB union said it feared the closure of the factory.

The company blamed cheap imports which it said had driven down prices and created intense competition among high street retailers.

More than 4,000 jobs have been lost in the textiles industry in Northern Ireland over the last few years.

Two years ago, Courtaulds employed more than 1,000 people in Northern Ireland.

However, it is now believed to be about half that figure.

Jobs boost for Derry

Meanwhile, more than 30 jobs are to be created in County Londonderry.

The jobs boost comes as part of a £11m expansion of the Golden Vale processed cheese plant in Coleraine.

The company has designated the Co Derry facility as a "Centre of Excellence".

The expansion will include the establishement of a research and development centre.

Reg Empey: "securing our future"

The plant, which manufactures processed cheese slices for the European food service and retail markets, is the largest supplier of cheese to burger giant McDonald's.

The plant was opened by Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey.

"Golden Vale is creating the most technologically advanced and efficient cheese processing company here in Coleraine," said Sir Reg.

"The new Centre of Excellence will be unrivalled in Europe and will secure the long term future of the company within an operation which is of utmost importance to the local and regional economy."

The company was offered £2.9m financial assistance for the expansion by the Industrial Development Board.