90 jobs come but 55 to go in Co Tyrone
More than 90 new hi-tech jobs are to be created in Co Tyrone with the expansion of a leading computer parts manufacturer’s plant, it emerged today.
However, restructuring at the Rixell plant in Omagh will also lead to 55 redundancies in the company’s printing and packaging operation.
The firm, a subsidiary of Ritek, the world’s largest producer of recordable Compact Discs, is to double the size of its cleanroom in the town’s Doogary Industrial Estate.
The new state-of-the-art facility is due to be completed by the end of September and is intended to centralise the company’s manufacture of recordable CDs in Northern Ireland.
However, the restructuring will also mean printing and packaging operations are relocated from Omagh to mainland Europe, closer to Ritek’s main markets.
This will lead to 55 redundancies at Omagh from mid-April, however, total employment at the plant is expected to increase from 131 to 170 when the expansion is completed.
The company has held talks with trade unions, the workforce and local representatives to explain the reasons for their decision.
Steven Tseng, the company’s Managing Director, said the expansion would mean the focus atthe Omagh plant would be on “higher value activities and innovation”.
“While we regret the redundancies in the packaging operation, the expansion in technology-led activities with the construction of the new cleanroom will mean opportunities for higher skilled jobs and pay in the area,” he said.
“The investment is the strongest possible demonstration of Ritek’s long-term commitment to the Omagh facility as a European centre for the development and production of quality products for the fast growing European market for optical storage media.”
Sinn Fein West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said the announcement had prompted a mixed response.
“It is positive news but there is also worry about the immediate loss of jobs,” he said.
“Hopefully many of the 55 people who will lose their jobs will be retrained and able to take up the new posts.
“I also welcome the news that Omagh Technical College is to help in the retraining process because many of these people need to be brought up to speed on new technologies by September.
“It was a positive step when this company came to Omagh and we hope they can continue to build on their success here.”
