CAR components manufacturer Sensata Technologies is to close its factory in Carrickfergus in early 2021 with the loss of 270 jobs.
The US company, which acquired Schrader Electronics’ operation in the north during late 2014, currently employs 1,178 people across sites in Antrim and Carrickfergus, where it manufactures tyre pressure monitoring systems.
Sensata, which specialises in sensors, switches and controls, said it has experienced a significant drop in demand for the products it makes in Carrickfergus.
The company notified staff on Friday morning, triggering a consultation period, during which it said alternatives to compulsory redundancy would be considered.
The 270 jobs to be axed includes a small number of operational support roles based in Antrim.
In a statement on Friday, Sensata’s senior vice president of global operations, Yann Etienvre said its Carrickfergus plant had been hit by “a perfect storm of European market conditions”.
“There has been a well-documented fall in the global automotive industry and this has been further heightened by consolidation in our market, with existing customers being absorbed into large entities whose manufacturing processes use alternative products to our own,” he said.
“The proposed closure of our Carrickfergus site has been a very difficult decision for the company to make… Our focus now is on providing support to the affected employees and their families through the consultation period.”
Mr Etienvre said Sensata Technologies remained committed to Northern Ireland, indicating that plans for a research and development centre of excellence would result in additional jobs being created in the next two years.
