February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
And County Antrim manufacturing plant Getty Connections is to close its Carrickfergus operation at the end of the year with the loss of 135 jobs.
During the last year, Shorts — which had a workforce of 6,500 at its height — has cut its workforce by about 1,000.
The cuts result from the economic downturn following Sept. 11, a company spokesperson said.
In a statement on Friday, vice president and general manager Bombardier Aerospace Northern Ireland Michael Ryan said the job losses were regretted.
“Due to the continuing challenges in the aviation market, particularly the business aircraft market, the cuts are necessary in order to protect the remaining jobs and maintain our competitiveness,” he said. “Belfast is a core part of Bombardier’s aerospace business.
Meanwhile, Getty Connections in Carrickfergus said it is to close “dramatic decline” in sales as a result of the downturn in the technology sector.
Founded in 1988, the company manufactures cable and electrical wiring.