An Antrim engineering firm is to cut 160, it was announced today.
Sensata Technologies, which makes tyre pressure monitoring devices, said the move is “in response to a significant drop in market demand due to the global Covid-19 pandemic”.
They said the are exploring options to avoid any compulsory redundancies. The company has “today informed staff of its intention to commence a reduction of the workforce at its site in Antrim ”.
In a statement, Sensata added: “It is anticipated that the proposed changes will reduce the workforce by approximately 160 employees across production, engineering and support roles.
“The business will engage in a collective consultation period with employees, during which proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered.”
The company currently has two sites in Northern Ireland - Antrim and Carrickfergus - manufacturing a range of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS).
Eric Sorret, vice president at Sensata Technologies, said: “As part of our long term planning it has become clear that the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic will have a profound and lasting impact on the demand for direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems.
“Vehicle manufacturers around the world are significantly cutting their forecasts for the coming years, with global passenger vehicle demand set to be reduced by between 20 and 30 percent.
“This long-term reduction in market demand has already directly affected our Northern Ireland manufactured product lines and we regret to announce that we will be making a series of reductions to the workforce at our Antrim site during 2020 and early 2021.
“Like many businesses around the world, Sensata is adapting to a fast changing, challenging situation and our priority now is to support our affected employees and their families as we begin a collective consultation period. During this 90-day period proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered. We will be providing advice and career transition guidance to affected employees.
“Despite these difficult operational decisions Sensata remains committed to Northern Ireland and will continue to invest in the development of ‘Smart and Connected’ products to support future growth.”
The company “has had a significant manufacturing and R&D presence in Northern Ireland since its 2014 acquisition of Schrader Electronics, which was founded in 1988”. They currently have 1,058 employees in Northern Ireland.
It was reported in January, however, that the firm is to close its factory in Carrickfergus with the loss of 270 jobs. The factory will wind down on a phased basis and fully close by early 2021, it was reported at the time.
