Imperial Tobacco has revealed plans to close its manufacturing facility in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, with the loss of 87 jobs.
Imperial Tobacco says the move is a result of the EU-wide introduction of a 30g minimum pack size for rolling tobacco products.
It explained that the new minimum pack size has led it to decommission a number of production lines at its Mullingar factory. Remaining production will transfer to one of its manufacturing sites in the Netherlands.
Ian King, Operations Director, Western Europe Factory Management commented, "Imperial made a submission to the Department of Health Consultation on the European Tobacco Directive in December 2012, where we outlined the impact of the packaging changes on jobs in our factory.
"To date, this Consultation Report remains unpublished. In 2013, we communicated with various Ministers about the impact on our operations in Mullingar when larger minimum pack sizes were first proposed in the EU Tobacco Directive.
"Unfortunately, we received no constructive response. We would like to thank local politicians who had taken an interest in how the proposal would have affected jobs in Mullingar."
Imperial Tobacco and employees will now enter into a 30 day consultation process, and King adds that“Any job losses are regrettable and we will continue to support our employees and ensure that they are treated in a fair and responsible manner.”
No change has been announced in regards to the sale and availability of Imperial Tobacco brands in Ireland, including Golden Virginia and Drum.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan
