MORE than loo jobs are to be lost following the decision by Neodata to close its plant in Listowel and head office in Limerick. The major losses will come in Listowel.
The inability to compete with lower production costs in India and the Far East was the reason given for the final closing down of operations in Ireland by the US data processing company.
The company began operations in Limerick in 1969 and, although it closed down its production department there three years ago, it remained the administration centre. Later the company extended to Newcastle West, Kilmallock, Co Limerick and Listowel, Co Kerry and at one time employed 600 people.
The Limerick office with 10 senior staff and the Listowel plant, where 105 people were employed, were closed this weekend.
Mr Kevin Heery, senior vice-president of the company's international operations, told the staff: "The type of business carried out in Ireland, which was non-core activity for Neodata, was no longer viable against much lower production costs in Asia and the Far East, where similar services provide operations at a fraction of the cost."
