Michelin Tyres To Close Ballymena Factory By Mid-2018

Michelin Tyres is to close its factory in Ballymena by mid-2018 with the loss of 860 jobs.

The firm said it is is due to the "significant downturn" for truck tyres in Europe since the financial crisis in 2007.

DUP MP Ian Paisley said it was a big blow to the manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland.

Mr Paisley said: "For North Antrim this means the loss of millions of pounds of wages annually and is frankly hard to come to terms with.

"I understand that the announcement is part of a wider EU re-structuring by the company and anyone who has followed tyre manufacturing trends, as I have, will have noticed the impact that cheap Far Eastern imports have had on Goodyear and how over-capacity has resulted in re-structuring elsewhere.

"The North Antrim factory has put up a valiant fight, but today they have bowed their head.

"I have for several years campaigned for reduced energy costs to assist this company and I know that much work was done to assist them from central government.

"But the re-structuring has not saved the North Antrim plant and frankly the UK operation, whilst they have cut off an arm today, I believe their ultimate survival is not certain.  I have spoken with Michelin at some length and I have asked that those who are in position to be re-located to other plants, that this is offered."

Mr Paisley has called on the company to put in place a "generous offer" for workers.

SDLP North Antrim Representative Connor Duncan said: "There had been some speculation, locally, for a while that we may see an announcement of further consolidation at the site but no one expected such a drastic move right in the throat of Christmas. This is awful news for a town that has already suffered significant setbacks following the jobs loss at JTI.

"We need to see urgent government action in a number of areas to deal with this announcement."

(CD)