Redundancies at Coleraine factory

The factory supplies ceramic capacitors to the electronic market

An electronics company in Coleraine has announced proposals to cut its workforce by 92.

AVX Ltd is a Japanese-owned company which supplies ceramic capacitors to the global electronics market.

It had employed a total of 390 people in Coleraine. A spokesman said the sector has seen a "stepped reduction' in orders due to global slowdown".

"We regret having to make these proposals, and do not underestimate the affect it will have on the workforce."

Phillip Oakes from the Unite union said they had hoped AVX would be able to get through its current difficulties.

"Earlier in the year we were discussing an extended lay off over Christmas," he said.

"So we were hoping we would see out this year, and the company would then be able to realign themselves for 2009.

"Unfortunately that seems not to be the case now."

The plant is planning a two-week shutdown over the Christmas period.

AVX Ltd has pledged to consult with employees affected by the proposals and their representatives. At one time, the company employed about 1,000 people in Coleraine.