More than 400 jobs at two textiles factories in Northern Ireland were threatened today after theplants' parent company was placed in receivership.
The future of West Yorkshire-based company Carpets International (UK) Ltd'soperations in Co Down were in doubt after the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers business recovery partner Garth Calow as a joint administrative receiver.
Carpets International, which has its headquarters in Bradford, employs 1,190people across Britain and Northern Ireland.
Its Northern Ireland operations consist of a carpet manufacturing plant inDonaghadee, employing 289 people, and a spinning plant in Killinchy with 144workers.
Mr Calow said his appointment followed a "period of very difficult trading"for the company.
"Our immediate priority is to establish the precise financial and projectedtrading position of the Northern Ireland operations and assess options for theway forward.
"The Donaghadee and Killinchy operations contribute to CarpetsInternational's overall UK manufacturing capacity.
"Consequently, until the overall UK trading position is clarified it would bepremature to speculate on future employment levels."
Carpets International is Britain's largest carpet manufacturer and tradesunder the Kossett, Wilton Royal and Abington brands.
The company acquired the Killinchy operation from Northern Ireland Spinners in1999.
The Donaghadee factory was originally purchased under the CV Carpetsacquisition by Shaw Industries in 1985.
PA