Terumo cutting over 40 posts at Larne manufacturing plant

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has confirmed it is making the redundancies at its Millbrook plant due to a “reduction in demand”.

In a statement to this newspaper, the company said: “We regret to announce that we will reduce our full-time associate head count at our Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies Limited (Larne, Northern Ireland, UK) manufacturing facility by forty-two (42) people.

“This is due to a reduction in demand, for a variety of reasons, which requires us to right-size production capacity to meet current demand.

“We expect this change will take effect from mid-February through to the end of March this year (2021), and we are committed to ensuring that impacted employees receive the appropriate assistance in accordance with local laws.”

The Japan headquartered organisation went on to say it remains committed to east Antrim.

“Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies Larne is and will remain an important facility in the company’s manufacturing portfolio, producing pharmaceutical solutions and medical device products as well as Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System solutions. With its flexible and niche manufacturing capability, Larne will continue to drive innovative technology solutions.”

In response to concern locally, a Terumo spokesperson said that “confirmed illness and time off due to Covid is not a factor for selection” in the staff reduction process.

The redundancies are in contrast to the positive news emanating from the company less than a decade ago. In 2013 Terumo announced the creation of 416 new jobs at Millbrook - expected to boost the Larne economy by £6 million annually - and the creation of a second facility at Redlands Industrial Estate in the port town.

This latest announcement by Terumo comes just two months after US manufacturing giant Caterpillar confirmed plans to axe 700 jobs with production, support and management positions impacted at its Larne plant (click here)

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