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Job losses as linen plant moves | Job losses as linen plant moves |
(10 minutes later) | |
Ulster Weavers is to cease linen manufacturing at its factory in Banbridge with the loss of 45 jobs. | |
The County Down company announced that manufacturing is to be transferred to China, where Ulster Weavers has had an office for the last three years. | |
The company will retain its base in Banbridge, employing 25 people in design, marketing and sourcing. | The company will retain its base in Banbridge, employing 25 people in design, marketing and sourcing. |
It is another sign of the steep decline in NI's textile industry, which employed about 76,000 a decade ago. | It is another sign of the steep decline in NI's textile industry, which employed about 76,000 a decade ago. |
The industry now employs about 2,500. | The industry now employs about 2,500. |
Ulster Weavers is one of two companies in Northern Ireland to hold the Royal Warrant. It now supplies kitchen textiles to the Queen. | |
Formed in 1880, it was originally called the Ulster Weaving Company. | |
Its main line of business was damask and household linens but later diversified into the kitchen textile sector. | |
In 1990 the Ulster Weaving Company, realising it was competing in two very strong markets, separated its interests into two companies. |