Rathkeale Area Councillor and Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, John Sheahan has described the voluntary liquidation of one of County Limerick’s largest employers as “a dangerous precedent” for the local manufacturing sector.
Cllr. Sheahan expressed his fears for 169 jobs at the Rathkeale-based costume jewellery manufacturer Andersen Ireland Ltd. which is expected to continue to trade until a liquidator is appointed on Monday, 23 September.
Cllr. Sheahan said the situation at Andersen Ireland has set “a dangerous precedent” for other manufacturing operations in the Mid-West Region.
He continued: “A situation whereby considerable pre-tax profits posted by the company in 2010 have been replaced by a loss making period is a very worrying development considering many had been led to believe that the manufacturing sector had managed to operate through the economic downturn largely unscathed. In fact, our manufacturing exporters have been one of the success stories of the last couple of years which makes today’s announcement all the more surprising and disappointing.”
“My thoughts are with those employed by the company as they face into a very uncertain period in relation to their future employment prospects. While the employment prospects appear bleak at this present moment, I would call on management at the company to fully engage with the soon-to-be-appointed liquidator to ensure every effort is made to protect as many of the existing jobs as possible,” concluded Cllr. Sheahan.
Cllr. Sheahan expressed his fears for 169 jobs at the Rathkeale-based costume jewellery manufacturer Andersen Ireland Ltd. which is expected to continue to trade until a liquidator is appointed on Monday, 23 September.
Cllr. Sheahan said the situation at Andersen Ireland has set “a dangerous precedent” for other manufacturing operations in the Mid-West Region.
He continued: “A situation whereby considerable pre-tax profits posted by the company in 2010 have been replaced by a loss making period is a very worrying development considering many had been led to believe that the manufacturing sector had managed to operate through the economic downturn largely unscathed. In fact, our manufacturing exporters have been one of the success stories of the last couple of years which makes today’s announcement all the more surprising and disappointing.”
“My thoughts are with those employed by the company as they face into a very uncertain period in relation to their future employment prospects. While the employment prospects appear bleak at this present moment, I would call on management at the company to fully engage with the soon-to-be-appointed liquidator to ensure every effort is made to protect as many of the existing jobs as possible,” concluded Cllr. Sheahan.
