Almost 250 jobs are under threat in Northern Ireland after Courtaulds announced it was considering closing two of its factories. Courtaulds Lingerie said it was starting consultations with employee representatives about the future of its factories in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, and Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.
A down-turn in demand for its underwear during the past year was blamed on the threat to 152 workers in Cookstown and 92 in Irvinestown.
The company said weak market conditions were continuing this year and as a result there was insufficient profitable business available in the UK.
"Unless some alternative can be found, the company will have to propose the closure of the Cookstown and Irvinestown factories and concentrate future manufacturing requirements at the business's other factories," said a statement.
The company is part of Courtaulds Textiles, the international clothing and fabric company, and has three other factories in Northern Ireland together with plants in Morecambe in Lancashire, and Wishaw in north Lanarkshire.
It said if the closure was confirmed the company would work with the government's Industrial Development Board to provide employees with assistance in finding other job opportunities.
