Ireland Manufacturing Adam Beech

Sensata Technologies has revealed plans to commence a phased closure of its site in Carrickfergus, resulting in the loss of approximately 270 jobs.

The company has 1,178 employees in Northern Ireland and specialises in the manufacture of sensors, switches and controls for multiple industries.

The business, which has two bases, the other being in Antrim, will engage in a collective consultation period with employees, during which proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered.

A small number of operational support roles based in Antrim are also included within the total of 270 jobs.

"As a company we are facing a perfect storm of European market conditions which have led to a significant drop in demand for the product lines currently manufactured in Carrickfergus," said Yann Etienvre, senior vice president, global operations.

"The proposed closure of our Carrickfergus site has been a very difficult decision for the company to make, and a number of actions were implemented to try to avoid reaching this point.

"Our focus now is on providing support to the affected employees and their families through the consultation period. To that end we have engaged external consultants LHH Penna to provide career transition advice and assistance for all affected employees.”

The company has said that it remains committed to its Northern Ireland operation, with the Carrickfergus site due to close in early 2021.