Caterpillar - '˜A difficult day' says Ross

East Antrim DUP MLA and Junior Minister Alastair Ross has expressed disappointment at the loss of jobs and the closure of the Monkstown Caterpillar plant.

He said: “Clearly this is another difficult day for the Caterpillar workforce, particularly those in the Monkstown plant with significant job losses of up to 250 employees.

Caterpillar have dramatically reduced their workforce globally as a result of falling demand in important markets such as China and South America, and this has had an impact on the Northern Ireland plants.

Whilst it will be of little comfort to those who have lost their job today, it is important that the other two sites in Larne and Belfast are staying as part of their restructuring plans and can hopefully work to attract new production lines in the future.

I have been in contact with local management to see what support government can offer and to seek assurances on the future plans for Caterpillars presence in Northern Ireland.”

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