Jobs loss at electronics firm

Solectron first came to Northern Ireland in 2000

More than 70 jobs are expected to be lost at a electronics firm in County Antrim.

The company, Solectron, said the move was part of restructuring and that it expected manufacturing to cease by the end of March.

The American firm, based in Carrickfergus, is a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and supply-chain management services.

Management said local managers informed employees of the news on Thursday and that it would enter a 30-day consultation period and engage in discussions with employee representatives.

We truly value our employees and will due our best to help them find new jobs Andy Marshall General manager

Andy Marshall, general manager of the site said: "Today's announcement was only made after careful consideration and analysis and is not a reflection of how our people in Carrickfergus have performed.

"This is part of an effort to establish a geographic footprint that enables us to meet current and future customer requirements.

"In this environment, we have no other choice but to make difficult decisions necessary to preserve the company's overall health.

"We truly value our employees and will due our best to help them find new jobs."

Closed factory

The firm said all affected employees would receive a severance package, as well as career counselling.

Solectron first came to Northern Ireland in 2000 when it took over assembly work for telecommunications company Nortel.

However, because of the downturn in the technology sector, Solectron closed another factory in Carrickfergus in 2001, with the loss of more than 200 jobs.

In September last year, the company announced it was making another 80 people redundant.

The company is based in Milpitas, California, and had sales of $11 billion in 2003.

Sam Francy of the Amicus union said it was a very disappointing situation.

"It's just another of many blows to the economy of Northern Ireland and especially to manufacturing as a whole," he said.

"The membership themselves are in a disastrous situation and coming so soon after Christmas it's a blow to them."