12/02/2009

Over 1,200 Jobs Lost As SR Technics Closes Doors

SR Technics, formerly Team Aer Lingus, which employs almost 1,200 people at Dublin Airport has announced it is to close.

Speculation has been mounting since this morning, after the company's Chief Executive Bernt Kessler, who is based at the firm's headquarters in Switzerland, held a meeting with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan to discuss the company's difficulties.

Soon after the meeting, management at the company released a statement detailing the company's intentions to close.

A spokesman for the company said: "SR Technics Group has today announced with regret that it intends to close its operation at Dublin Airport.

"It will now enter into consultation with the trade unions representing the 1,135 employees at the facility."

Management will meet union representatives at 8.30am tomorrow morning, and workers will be addressed at around 9.30am.

There has been concern about the financial situation at the firm for some time, with the company recently losing a number of key contracts, including three maintenance contracts for its former owner, Aer Lingus.

Bernd Kessler, Chief Executive Officer SR Technics, said: "We are announcing this deeply regrettable and difficult step only after an exhaustive evaluation of all strategic options for our Group wide operations."

He also said they are fully aware of the difficult economic and labour market situation in Ireland and the personal implications of a closure for our staff in Dublin. "My management team will be working closely with the relevant unions over the coming weeks and we will ensure that our Dublin employees are fully informed and supported.

"We will do all we can to minimise the impact of this announcement on the workforce," he said.

(DW/BMcC)

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