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Abbott to cut 180 jobs at Sligo plant

Wednesday, October 17 16:24:25

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division and Abbott Ireland Manufacturing Operations is to cut 180 staff from its Ballytivnan, Co Sligo plant, the bio-pharma group said today.

The cuts will be made on a voluntary redundancy basis, it said.

Abbott has extensive operations in Ireland with plants elsewhere in Co Sligo, Mayo, Donegal, Dublin, Longford, Cavan and Tipperary employing over 4,000 people.

In a statement, it said that it is to streamline its global nutrition business to enable greater focus on its core business of providing science-based nutrition.

"As part of this streamlining, Abbott will exit the US nutritional device market. Consequently, the company will be seeking about 180 redundancies at its nutritional plant in Ballytivnan, Sligo, which manufactures nutritional devices for Abbott's Enteral nutrition business."

"Abbott Nutrition Ballytivnan is now entering into a 30-day consultation period with employees on the proposed redundancies. The redundancies will take place over the next 12 months and it is hoped that these can be achieved through a voluntary redundancy programme. Abbott will be offering favourable redundancy terms and outplacement services will be put in place to support impacted employees. The immediate priority is to work with and support employees during the consultation process. Abbott regrets the impact of today's announcement on the affected employees and the local community; however, today’s actions are based on Abbott Nutrition's long-term strategic needs. The streamlining of the business will result in greater efficiencies and position the company for long-term accelerated and sustainable growth.

As part of the streamlining global programme announced today, the site will continue to manufacture nutritional device sets for all international markets (ex-US) and more than 130 employees will continue to be employed at the site,” the statement said.

"Abbott Nutrition's business and innovation pipeline remain vibrant and strong. The company continues to invest in R&D, increase manufacturing capacity and quality and strengthen investments in emerging markets. Abbott remains committed to Ireland and currently employs approximately 4,000 people across 13 sites in eight counties."

The group earlier this year said it intends to break up in to two distinct companies: one company focused on new drugs and the other on medical devices, generic medicines and nutritional drinks is still set for the end of the year.

Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein TD for Sligo/North Leitrim has expressed disappointment at the announcement of 180 redundancies by Abbott, at its Nutrition Plant in Ballytivnan, Sligo today.

"The people of the Northwest were delighted when Abbott announced 175 new jobs at their pharmaceutical operations in Sligo earlier this year. Today's announcement is a major blow to the community with news of the redundancy programme, for implementation by the end of 2013, with the loss of 180 jobs. Abbott is held in high regard in the Sligo area and I hope that the company will minimise the job losses with retraining and redeployment. I also hope that those who accept voluntary redundancies receive a fair deal. I call on the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and junior minister, John Perry TD, to work closely with the company to identify areas for redeployment in the Sligo area and for development of the northwest in general."