UP TO 27 jobs are to be lost after a Co Antrim construction supplier announced yesterday it was ending production of mortar powder.
Saint-Gobain Weber in Ballyclare will cease production by September next year, a spokesman for the firm confirmed, citing the ongoing slowdown in construction for the decision.
It has been in business since 1972.
“Ballyclare powder manufacturing has for some time faced adverse market conditions and has experienced a severe and prolonged decline in demand in Ireland,” said a spokesman.
“In spite of our best efforts to address this situation, the sector-wide decline in the Irish construction industry means that this unit is no longer sustainable.”
Production will be moved to the company`s Telford site in England and Ballyclare will operate as an Irish customer services and distribution centre, as well as a small wet paste production facility. Some staff will be retained in Northern Ireland depending on requirements.
The company said this year construction output in Ireland is expected to decline 14 per cent, with a further fall of 10 per cent expected in 2013. Housing completions this year are forecast to be 24 per cent lower than 2011.