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JTI Gallaher: Ballymena factory closure 'terrible news' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The loss of 800 jobs at a cigarette plant in County Antrim is "terrible news for many loyal workers", the first and deputy first ministers have said. | |
On Tuesday, staff were told the JTI Gallaher cigarette factory plant in Ballymena is to close permanently by 2017. | |
Previously known as Gallahers, the firm has manufactured tobacco in Northern Ireland for more then 150 years. | Previously known as Gallahers, the firm has manufactured tobacco in Northern Ireland for more then 150 years. |
It is a major employer and its closure is a significant blow to the economy. | It is a major employer and its closure is a significant blow to the economy. |
Management at the factory said there was "shock and tears" as staff were told the news at a series of meetings. | |
The Ballymena factory is currently owned by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which took over in 2007. | The Ballymena factory is currently owned by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which took over in 2007. |
JTI released a statement on Tuesday announcing its intention to "restructure its manufacturing facilities as a result of significant and sustained changes impacting its global business". | JTI released a statement on Tuesday announcing its intention to "restructure its manufacturing facilities as a result of significant and sustained changes impacting its global business". |
It has proposed moving its existing plants in Northern Ireland and Belgium to other countries, such as Poland and Romania. | It has proposed moving its existing plants in Northern Ireland and Belgium to other countries, such as Poland and Romania. |
Leading politicians have pledged to support the workers and said they would work to try to mitigate the job losses. | Leading politicians have pledged to support the workers and said they would work to try to mitigate the job losses. |