Updated 9.58pm
160 EMPLOYEES AT Dublin’s pharmaceutical manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb were told earlier today that they are to be laid off.
The company announced that it is set to close its manufacturing facility in Cruiserath, Co Dublin by the end of 2015, impacting 130 employees.
In addition, although its other manufacturing facility in Swords will continue operations, a single operating unit will cease manufacturing by the end of 2015.
This will affect a further 30 employees.
Susan Hynes, General Manager API Operations Ireland said:
’Bristol-Myers Squibb has a long history in Ireland and the company’s presence here plays an important role in the BMS global manufacturing network. The company is working with IDA Ireland to explore potential future uses of the Cruiserath facility and will endeavour to minimise job losses in Ireland’.
Changing market demand
The company said that the decision to close the Cruiserath facility “reflects the changing market demand for a number of products manufactured at the site”.
Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue manufacturing at the facility until the end of 2015.
It said that the closure of the operating unit in Swords “is part of ongoing optimisation in the company’s manufacturing network”.
The Swords facility employs over 320 people, and Bristol-Myers Squibb said it “will remain a key supplier of bulk pharmaceuticals”.
Urgent meeting
SIPTU said this evening that is has requested an urgent meeting with the management of Bristol-Myers Squibb following the announcement about the Swords plant.
SIPTU Organiser, Michelle Quinn, said: “Among those being made redundant are 20 SIPTU members. We also regret the announcement by the company of the closure of the Cruiserath facility in Dublin 15 with the lose of 130 jobs.”
She said that SIPTU are led to believe that these redundancies will be voluntary and the offer will be made across the site.
This announcement came as a shock to the workers and their families. SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with management to explore any possible ways to minimise these job losses.
- First published 6.22pm
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