Over the past two months, a total of 175 jobs have been lost in the KeyTronic plant in Dundalk. These job losses have been as a direct result of severe cost pressure in the manufacture of keyboards.
KeyTronic anticipated heightened demand for its keyboard as a result of the launch of Microsoft's "Windows `95". They increased production, purchased extra equipment and employed an additional 200 people. Now, however, increased stocks and a lower than anticipated demand have led to excess manufacturing capacity, leaving KeyTronic with no alternative but to reduce capacity.
Ecco Limited (Harris Ireland) recently laid-off 40 temporary workers who were employed to cater for a seasonal demand in their product. Overall, Ecco has performed well in recent years with employment increasing from 265 permanent people in 1992 to 300 at present.
The north-east region has a significant base of high technology companies which is a key factor in attracting overseas investors. There is an impressive array of over 40 overseas companies in County Louth including Quantum, ABB, AFL/Stribel, National Penn and Riverside Manufacturing Company Ltd.
In addition, the announcement last November that American Power Corporation (APC) is to locate its uninterruptable power supplies project in Drogheda will result in £14 million investment and employ 300 people at full production.