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Job losses as linen plant moves Job losses as linen plant moves
(about 2 hours later)
Ulster Weavers is to cease linen manufacturing at its factory in Banbridge with the loss of 45 jobs. Linen manufacturing at a County Down company is to cease 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. Ulster Weavers Apparel Ltd 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.
Managing director Declan Gormley said the business had been restructured over the past two years.
"We have managed to accommodate the continued changes and pressures but we are in an industry where pricing pressures are enormous.
"A weak dollar... which is in one of our strongest markets and of course where some of our raw materials come, the euro is at an all-time high.
"So the inevitability of all of those. We have our own crunch, if you like which has just made our position untenable."
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.
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.