Close of Luxottica a Severe Blow to Workers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney today (Thursday 4th May 2000) said that the announcement by Luxottica that they will close their plant in Waterford with the loss of 93 jobs is a severe blow to its workers. Luxottica acquired the sunglass (Ray Ban) Division of Bausch & Lomb in June 1999.

The Tánaiste said "This is further bad news for the workers of Luxottica following so closely as it does on job losses announced by the company just two months ago. I understand from the company that their Waterford facility could not compete with the economies of scale available through its centralised Italian sunglass-frame manufacturing plants and therefore the operations of the Waterford plant would now transfer to its main manufacturing facility in Agordo, Italy".

The Tánaiste added "The most pressing need is to find alternative jobs for all those workers who has lost their jobs and I know that both Luxottica and IDA Ireland are now taking immediate steps to secure a replacement industry and will market this facility internationally. Waterford is and continues to be a key priority for IDA Ireland and I believe it is a region which has all the key ingredients to attract major investors. A number of major companies have recently visited sites in the area and I am optimistic that new investors will locate in this region".