250 jobs to go at Caterpillar’s Northern Ireland facility
Caterpillar the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy construction equipment has annunced that is will be letting go 250 of its staff from its facility in Monkstown and two other sites in Belfast,
Caterpillar currently employs 1,800 people across the North of Ireland.
The job cuts will effect those working in production, support and management roles at the firm.
The company says its been hit by a global downturn in mining and oil exploration, which has reduced demand for its products.
East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross has expressed his disappointment at the news.
“Clearly this is another difficult day for the Caterpillar workforce, particularly those in the Monkstown plant with significant job losses of up to 250 employees.
“Caterpillar have dramatically reduced their workforce globally as a result of falling demand in important markets such as China and South America, and this has had an impact on the Northern Ireland plants.
“Whilst it will be of little comfort to those who have lost their job today, it is important that the other two sites in Larne and Belfast are staying as part of their restructuring plans and can hopefully work to attract new production lines in the future.”
