Updated: 12.20pm
MANAGEMENT AT HP Inc (Hewlett-Packard) campus in Kildare have told staff that up to 500 jobs will be lost at the plant.
The fears of workers were realised this morning as it was confirmed that HP Inc was holding a meeting with its staff at 10am.
They were informed that the firm is to close its print business at the Leixlip site.
“It is likely that close to 500 HP employees will be impacted and leave the business over the next 12 months,” a statement read.
“In line with our previously communicated strategy, HP’s global print business is working to drive continuous efficiencies and cost savings that enable investment in new market opportunities and growth initiatives, such as 3D printing.
As a result, we have made the decision to close our global print business at the Leixlip site.
“Ireland has been an important location for HP and remains an excellent environment for technology companies. Ireland will remain a key market for HP, where we will maintain the sales operations for our Printing and Personal Systems business.”
Commenting on the news this morning, Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said she was in daily contact with IDA Ireland about delivering jobs to the area. She added that the FDI agency was working with HP Inc to help secure a buyer for the Kildare site “in the time ahead”.
The Fine Gael TD said her thoughts were with the employees and their families as they receive the difficult news.
She said that concerns had been flagged to her last October that the company was considering cutting jobs and that her department had made “every effort” to save these positions.
When asked if she would personally visit the workers of the plant, Mitchell O’Connor said: “People don’t want platitudes, they want jobs.”
Kildare Chamber of Commerce, also in a statement this morning, described the loss as “very worrying”.
Allan Shine, CEO of the chamber, said: “Kildare with its close proximity to Dublin, its available, zoned land banks and its highly skilled workforce will ensure that we continue to promote the county as a place to do business. This is the key message we will have for government and for the Minister.”
HP Inc was formed after Hewlett-Packard was split in two in 2015. HP Inc makes consumer products like PCs and printers, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise focuses on services for business customers in areas like cloud computing and big data analytics. The Leixlip facility manufactures ink cartridges.
The most recent announcement follows a turnaround plan that was announced in October of 2015.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise has operations in Galway, Dublin and Belfast. Jobs at that company are not thought to be at risk.
With reporting by Conor McMahon, Sinéad O’Carroll and Seán Murray
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say