‘Huge Blow for Sligo’
165 staff at Stiefel in Sligo are to lose their jobs within the next three years.
The company GSK Ireland which operates the plant says that they will do what they can to support employees during this difficult time.
Workers were called to a meeting this morning.
Fianna Fail TD in Sligo Leitrim Marc MacSharry says it’s a huge blow for not just the town and county but for the whole region:
11am update:
Stiefel Laboratories in Sligo has confirmed it’s to close its manufacturing site at the Finisklin Industrial estate in Sligo town. 165 workers are affected. The closure will take place on a phased basis over the next 3 years and is set to be decommissioned by the second half of 2021.
Statement from GSK Ireland:
In a statement to Ocean FM News this morning, GSK Ireland which took over Stiefel about ten years ago confirmed that ‘it informed employees at our skincare manufacturing site in Sligo of a proposal to close the site.’
“This morning we informed employees at our skincare manufacturing site in Sligo of a proposal to close the site. Under this proposal, which affects approximately 165 employees, we would phase down production over three years, before decommissioning the site in the latter part of 2021.
The company says the demand for the products made on site has not grown in line with previous expectations, due to the “highly competitive market” and its current business model has been deemed “unsustainable”.
The statement goes on to say that the proposal was not made lightly and a number of alternatives for the Sligo site were “thoroughly evaluated” but they were not feasible.
The company has paid tribute to the “highly skilled professionals” staffing the site saying they have been “dedicated to delivering quality skincare products. We understand the impact of this proposal on our employees, their families, and the local region. Our immediate priority is to support them through this difficult period.”
GSK’s other operations in Ireland (manufacturing sites in Cork and Dungarvan, and commercial operations in Dublin) are not affected by this proposal.
BREAKING 10am:
Workers at Stiefel in Sligo town have been called to an emergency meeting this morning.
The plant which is based in the Finisklin industrial estate in Sligo Town is understood to be closing by 2021.
Workers were informed at the meeting this morning.
Stiefel makes skincare products and opened in Sligo in 1975 with just 10 staff.
It was taken over by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKlein about ten years ago.
There was a threatened closure in 2009 but GSK subsequently scrapped plans to close the facility in Sligo investing in it instead saving over 100 of the jobs at the time.
In 2015, 50 new jobs were created there.
In a statement this morning, Fine Gael TD for Sligo Leitrim and Assistant Government Whip Tony McLoughlin has said that the decision of ‘Glaxosmithkline – Stiefel’ to close its Sligo operation by 2021 is a ‘very disappointing announcement for Sligo and the hard-working employees at the Glaxo Smith Kline operation here.’
Deputy McLoughlin says he has spoken to the Department for Business Enterprise and Innovation this morning who have advised that the immediate concern of the Department is for the workers and families directly impacted by this development.’
The closure of the plant is expected to take place on a phased basis, over three years.
Deputy McLoughlin says the Government will make every State support available to the workers at GSK in Sligo. ‘The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is aware of the situation and we will be doing our utmost to help these workers transition and find new employment opportunities when the time comes.’
