One-hundred-and-twenty-five jobs are set to be lost at the Carrickfergus site of Sensata Technologies.

It's the latest blow to the Northern Ireland economy which has been rocked by a series of jobs losses in recent weeks.

Sensata Technologies, which bought Shrader Electronics in 2014, informed employees of its intention to reduce the workforce at its Carrickfergus site on Friday.

It has begun consulting with staff saying "proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered". It has more than 1,300 staff in Northern Ireland.

The company currently has two sites in Northern Ireland - Antrim and Carrickfergus - manufacturing a range of tyre pressure monitoring systems. Employees in Antrim are not affected.

Graeme Thompson, UK general manager from Sensata Technologies, said: “Following a review of our operations and in response to a drop in expected demand for some of the products currently manufactured in Northern Ireland, the company regrets to announce that we will potentially be reducing the workforce at our site in Carrickfergus by 125 people.

“This has been a very difficult decision and all possible alternatives were explored before it was taken. Our focus now is on providing support to the affected employees and their families. To that end we have engaged globally recognised but locally based outsourcing consultants LHH Penna to provide career transition advice and assistance for all affected employees.”

Mr Thompson reiterated the company’s commitment to maintaining its manufacturing base in Northern Ireland.

He said: “Expected production levels for other lines remain steady at this time and Sensata Technologies remains committed to our Northern Ireland operation.”

Sensata Technologies is a global organisation which makes sensors, switches and controls for multiple industries. It has had a significant manufacturing and research and development presence in Northern Ireland since its 2014 acquisition of Schrader Electronics, which was founded in 1988. The company has 1,301 employees in Northern Ireland.

Jobs have either been lost or put under threat recently at Lagan Construction, Wright Group, Williams Industrial Services and Kilroot Power station.

Belfast Telegraph