71 workers lose Kerry Foods jobs

June 2009

KERRY Foods is to wind down all operations from its factory in Glenealy, resulting in the loss of 71 jobs.

The closure will take effect from September. Workers were informed of the news at a meeting held late on Thursday evening. Production will instead be transferred to Kerry Foods’ facilities in Shillelagh, Dublin and the UK. The company blames a fall in sales and a drop in demand for exports.

Cllr Jimmy O’Shaughnessy said the news came as a real surprise to all the workers. ‘There is a huge sense of shock out there,’ he said.

‘This is devastating news for the likes of Rathdrum, Wicklow town, Rathnew, Glenealy and Barndarrig. Seventy-one people losing their jobs in a small area is a big blow. It’s the equivalent of losing over 300 or so jobs in a larger area.’

The Glenealy plant produces cooked meats, mostly for export. In June of last year the Kerry Group sought 30 production line redundancies, and followed that up by letting seven staff go from the administration and finance section belonging to the Glenealy operation.

Frank Hayes of corporate affairs for the Kerry Group says the decision is regrettable but had to be made. ‘Unfortunately, the bulk meats deli sector has declined dramatically in recent times. The depreciation of the sterling and euro rate also played a big part. We can accommodate production in three of our other plants, and regrettably that means scaling down our Glenealy operation by the end of September.’

He added that there is the possibility for 20 redeployment opportunities at the Kerry Group’s Dublin operation. Discussions with staff over redundancy arrangements are taking place, and the company will also fully fund outplacement training for all staff members.