Menu
10/10/2014
JTI Gallaher To Close Ballymena Factory
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has expressed her deep regret at the announcement by JTI Gallaher that it plans to close its Ballymena factory in 2017.
Arlene Foster said: “"This announcement is devastating news for the affected workers, their families and the local community as a whole. Many of the staff have been with the company for much of their working lives and will have expected to stay there for the foreseeable future. My thoughts are with them as they struggle to come to terms with the prospect of having to seek employment elsewhere.
"The loss of around 800 jobs is not only a hammer blow for Ballymena and north Antrim, it is bad news for the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.
"JTI Gallaher is a major employer, contributing over £57million per annum to the local economy through annual salaries. The company also provides business for over 200 other local firms, with total spending of £20million per annum.
"JTI Gallaher had warned that the European Tobacco Products Directive, which will introduce minimum pack sizes, would mean it would have to reconsider its presence in Europe - and it is deeply regretful that these warnings have today come to fruition.
"I have repeatedly raised concerns over this issue on the company's behalf. Just last week, I wrote to the Health Minister, Jeremy Hunt MP, to express my concerns regarding the proposed introduction of the European Tobacco Products Directive and its potential effect on the JTI Gallaher factory at Lisnafillan. I urged him to commission further research to ensure that any health benefits were not offset by an increase in the trade of illegal tobacco and I am deeply concerned that the magnitude of the implications for the NI economy were not fully considered."
(CD)
Arlene Foster said: “"This announcement is devastating news for the affected workers, their families and the local community as a whole. Many of the staff have been with the company for much of their working lives and will have expected to stay there for the foreseeable future. My thoughts are with them as they struggle to come to terms with the prospect of having to seek employment elsewhere.
"The loss of around 800 jobs is not only a hammer blow for Ballymena and north Antrim, it is bad news for the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.
"JTI Gallaher is a major employer, contributing over £57million per annum to the local economy through annual salaries. The company also provides business for over 200 other local firms, with total spending of £20million per annum.
"JTI Gallaher had warned that the European Tobacco Products Directive, which will introduce minimum pack sizes, would mean it would have to reconsider its presence in Europe - and it is deeply regretful that these warnings have today come to fruition.
"I have repeatedly raised concerns over this issue on the company's behalf. Just last week, I wrote to the Health Minister, Jeremy Hunt MP, to express my concerns regarding the proposed introduction of the European Tobacco Products Directive and its potential effect on the JTI Gallaher factory at Lisnafillan. I urged him to commission further research to ensure that any health benefits were not offset by an increase in the trade of illegal tobacco and I am deeply concerned that the magnitude of the implications for the NI economy were not fully considered."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 October 2014
Ministers Meet With JTI Gallaher To Discuss The Way Forward
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry have met with representatives of JTI Gallaher to discuss the way forward should the company's recent proposal and consultation result in the closure of its Ballymena factory post-2016.
Ministers Meet With JTI Gallaher To Discuss The Way Forward
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster and Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry have met with representatives of JTI Gallaher to discuss the way forward should the company's recent proposal and consultation result in the closure of its Ballymena factory post-2016.
20 May 2003
Gallaher to cut 175 jobs in Co Antrim
Cigarette maker, Gallahers is set to cut 175 jobs at its factory in Co Antrim. The company said the decision, which will be part of an overhaul of its European operations, would mean the company would also have to close down its factory in Dublin.
Gallaher to cut 175 jobs in Co Antrim
Cigarette maker, Gallahers is set to cut 175 jobs at its factory in Co Antrim. The company said the decision, which will be part of an overhaul of its European operations, would mean the company would also have to close down its factory in Dublin.
26 July 2011
Ballymena Factory Accident Probed
An investigation is underway after a man was injured in an industrial accident in Ballymena yesterday. Machinery fell on the man as it was being serviced. The accident happened around 10am on Monday at the JTI plant in the town and he remains critically ill in hospital. The JTI plant was formerly known as the Gallagher cigarette factory.
Ballymena Factory Accident Probed
An investigation is underway after a man was injured in an industrial accident in Ballymena yesterday. Machinery fell on the man as it was being serviced. The accident happened around 10am on Monday at the JTI plant in the town and he remains critically ill in hospital. The JTI plant was formerly known as the Gallagher cigarette factory.
16 April 2014
Local Insurance Company Removes Common Van Insurance Obstacles
Local company, Find Insurance NI, is going that bit further to make life easier for their van insurance customers. Whether you use your van for business or pleasure, making sure your insurance policy is up to date is one of those necessary evils that you just can’t avoid. The team at Find Insurance NI understand that your time is precious.
Local Insurance Company Removes Common Van Insurance Obstacles
Local company, Find Insurance NI, is going that bit further to make life easier for their van insurance customers. Whether you use your van for business or pleasure, making sure your insurance policy is up to date is one of those necessary evils that you just can’t avoid. The team at Find Insurance NI understand that your time is precious.
07 June 2012
Local Engineering Company Makes Splash In Germany
Portadown company F3 Engineering Ltd has recently secured a deal to supply its innovative ice bathing product, the POD, to the Olympic Training Centre in Frankfurt, Germany. The POD is part of the company's F3 HydroPool range, which was developed with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland.
Local Engineering Company Makes Splash In Germany
Portadown company F3 Engineering Ltd has recently secured a deal to supply its innovative ice bathing product, the POD, to the Olympic Training Centre in Frankfurt, Germany. The POD is part of the company's F3 HydroPool range, which was developed with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
