JTI Gallaher cigarette factory plant in Ballymena to close permanently by 2017

warmhands.coldheart

The JTI Gallaher cigarette factory plant in Ballymena is to close permanently by 2017

Not good news for the people who work there. This on top of all the pressures being put on the public finances which will no doubt mean more redundancies in Northern Ireland to come.......

This is why we need a stronger Private sector in Northern Ireland, so we can absorb the people made redundant back into other companies who may be doing better...

Not good..!!

BigAl94

A declining industry responsible for killing thousands each year - good that it is going.
Fortunately other successful businesses such as Wrightbus have created hundreds of jobs in the area.

steveymp

Especially as the factories in Ballymena and Belgium aren't closing due to lack of sales JTI will look to set up new factories in Romania and Poland to produce the same product, but obviously at a far lower wage cost. The way of the world these days, but a massive blow to the private sector in NI

Cotta

Are these the regular cigarettes or the electronice products?

warmhands.coldheart

Cotta wrote: »

Are these the regular cigarettes or the electronice products?

Regular but I believe they make the small 10 packs and pouches of tobacco there which are being outlawed under new EU Directives coming in.... AFAIK !!

motorguy

Cotta wrote: »

Are these the regular cigarettes or the electronice products?

Regular cigarettes, but small packs / smaller brands from memory.

I worked there as an IT Contractor many moons ago. They were producing cigarettes at that point for the eastern european market as that was a big growth area for them, so i guess hardly a surprise if production has went there too, given lower pay, etc, etc.

They seemed to be a good company to work for - I know the people are worked with were on strong money. loads of people with 40+ years service, etc.

Cotta

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

Regular but I believe they make the small 10 packs and pouches of tobacco there which are being outlawed under new EU Directives coming in.... AFAIK !!

I've a question for you Warm Hands, how can a little business based right opposite Castlecourt in Belfast city centre sustain itself when all it sells are little re-fills at about £5 each?

warmhands.coldheart

Cotta wrote: »

I've a question for you Warm Hands, how can a little business based right opposite Castlecourt in Belfast city centre sustain itself when all it sells are little re-fills at about £5 each?

How can an ice-cream van make a living for the operator in the middle of Autumn and Winter ???? you sure all it sells are little re-fills at about £5 each ???

warmhands.coldheart

motorguy wrote: »

...... They seemed to be a good company to work for - I know the people I worked with were on strong money. loads of people with 40+ years service, etc.

Part of their downfall I think..... People were paid based on historic agreements and way over the going rate.... I know of Forklift drivers in there being paid over £32,000/year.... A Forklift Driver.... You'd be lucky to get about £7.50/hr for a forklift driving job anywhere else !!

Cotta

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

How can an ice-cream van make a living for the operator in the middle of Autumn and Winter ???? you sure all it sells are little re-fills at about £5 each ???

I stepped into the premise for a minute to wait on a friend and this is all the person seemed to sell. My query really is when rates and rent etc are taken into account it does not leave very much.

saverbuyer

Cotta wrote: »

I stepped into the premise for a minute to wait on a friend and this is all the person seemed to sell. My query really is when rates and rent etc are taken into account it does not leave very much.

It shows you how big their margin is.