There was mixed news on employment for Northern Ireland yesterday with the opening of a new chemical facility that could create hundreds of new jobs set against the announcement that 140 jobs would be lost in the textile industry.
In Craigavon, former US special envoy, Senator George Mitchell, opened the new headquarters of Chemical Synthesis Services (CSS). The state-of-the- art facility for innovative sciences is expected to create 200 jobs over the next five years.
CSS is a service provider for the chemical industry, with 16 of the world's top 20 pharma companies among its clients. It has invested £25 million (€35.8 million) in the 88.000 sq ft Craigavon facility.
CSS owner, Dr Allen McClay - founder and former chairman of Galen Holdings - said he hoped the Craigavon headquarters would further strengthen the company's goal of becoming a global leader in chemical services.
Also at the opening was Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Ian Pearson. He said the development would "send out a strong signal to the global market as to the leading-edge research being carried out in Northern Ireland."
The Craigavon facility is one of three sites that CSS operates in the North. It also has a research and development facility at Queen's University, and an analytical services centre in Coleraine.
While there was good news in Craigavon, the Northern Ireland textile industry suffered another blow yesterday with the announcement of job losses in Carpets International.
The company, which has been in administrative receivership since August 20th, will shed 92 jobs in its Killinchy factory and 48 jobs at its Donaghadee plant. It is also cutting 74 jobs in Hartlepool and 22 jobs from its distribution centre in Hull in Britain.
This leaves the company - which claims to be the UK's biggest in the sector - with a total workforce of 900, of which 433 will be in Northern Ireland.
Administrative receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers said the cuts were necessary, following a detailed review and assessment of the company's future prospects.
It blamed a decline in sales on changes in fashion, decreased consumer spending on carpets, and increased competition from overseas.
