Job losses and gains for Longford

10-04-2008

by Charlie Taylor

It's a day of mixed fortunes for Co Longford with one tech-related firm creating 140 new jobs while another has said it is to close with the loss of 66 positions.

As many as 140 jobs are to be created at Cameron Ireland, a firm which develops cutting-edge technology which is used in drilling operations to regulate the flow of oil and gas at both sub-sea level and above the surface.

The firm, which has been based in Longford Town since 1978 where it currently employs over 220 staff, is to expand its existing manufacturing and R&D facility with the support of IDA Ireland.

Some EUR15 million is to be invested in new buildings and equipment. Phase 1 of the project, costing EUR5 million, is due for completion by July this year, with a further EUR10 million planned for investment over a five-year period.

Making the announcement on Thursday, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin said that the expansion represented a significant investment which will benefit the entire region.

"This expansion represents a very significant investment in the engineering sector in the Midlands and will benefit the entire region by providing high quality positions and strengthen the local industry base," said Minister Martin. "We are delighted to join Cameron in celebrating 30 years in operation in Ireland this year. Today's news is excellent for Longford and the region and will also considerably enhance the company's already important economic contribution throughout the area."

Cameron Ireland's products -- sub-sea chokes and actuators -- which are designed, developed and manufactured at Longford have to withstand massive temperature and pressure variations, with a zero fault tolerance for 20 years, as they will 'live' on the ocean floor as part of a highly sophisticated valve and metering arrangement to control the flow of oil and gas at the wellhead, explained the minister.

Elsewhere, Kimball Electronics, a company which provides design, engineering, packaging, manufacturing and distribution of electronic assemblies and circuit boards for a variety of industries, said that it is to close its plant with the loss of 66 jobs.

In a statement released on Thursday, the firm said the Longford operation had been operating at a financial loss in recent months and added that an attempt to sell the facility had failed.

The firm, which has been based in the county since 2006, said it is intending to transfer its manufacturing operations to Poland.

"We have excellent employees in our Longford operation. We are disappointed that we could not find a redeployment alternative," said Don Charron, president of Kimball Electronics.