160 redundancies at Sensata Technologies

by Q Radio News

County Antrim firm Sensata Technologies, which manufactures a range of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems has announced its planning to make 160 redundancies at its Antrim site. 

The company says it's in response to a significant drop in market demand due to the global covid-19 pandemic. 

Staff have been informed and its expected those in production, engineering and support roles will be affected. 

The business will engage in a collective consultation period with employees, during which proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered.

Sensata Technologies currently has two sites in Antrim and Carrickfergus and 1058 employees. 

It is a global organisation which makes sensors, switches and controls for multiple industries.

It has had a significant manufacturing and R&D presence in Northern Ireland since its 2014 acquisition of Schrader Electronics, which was founded in 1988.

Eric Sorret, vice president at Sensata Technologies, said: “As part of our long term planning it has become clear that the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic will have a profound and lasting impact on the demand for direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems.

“Vehicle manufacturers around the world are significantly cutting their forecasts for the coming years, with global passenger vehicle demand set to be reduced by between 20 and 30 percent.  

“This long-term reduction in market demand has already directly affected our Northern Ireland manufactured product lines and we regret to announce that we will be making a series of reductions to the workforce at our Antrim site during 2020 and early 2021.

“Like many businesses around the world, Sensata is adapting to a fast changing, challenging situation and our priority now is to support our affected employees and their families as we begin a collective consultation period.

"During this 90-day period proposed alternatives to compulsory redundancy will be considered. We will be providing advice and career transition guidance to affected employees.

“Despite these difficult operational decisions Sensata remains committed to Northern Ireland and will continue to invest in the development of 'Smart and Connected' products to support future growth.”

South Antrim MLA John Blair says it’s "vital" that immediate support is given to the workforce at the company which has previously announced the phased closure of its Carrick factory with the loss of 270 jobs.

“This is devastating news for the workers at Sensata and my thoughts are with them and their loved ones,” he said.

“This will undoubtedly impact not only Antrim but the wider South Antrim area, and will be a major blow to our regional economy, especially following the announcement relating to the Carrick site earlier this year.

“It is vital immediate support mechanisms are put in place for the workers to be able to find alternative employment, and I will be raising this directly with the Economy Minister. This move is no reflection on the workforce but rather global factors, and I hope other companies will be able to pick up on their skills and talents.”