BD , which manufactures medical devices, said it continuously reviews its global manufacturing and supply chain network to ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible.The total job losses are understood to include 70 redundancies that were previously announced last year.According to BD's website, Drogheda is a"prime manufacturer of products that make oncology, interventional radiology and critical care quicker and easier".
"As a responsible business, we have to ensure that all of our operations are efficient and that our resources are allocated in the most effective manner possible". Neil McGowan, manufacturing divisional organiser with SIPTU, said they were informed of the full closure of the factory on a phased basis.
He said that while there had been redundancies and other issues over the years, the announcement came as a massive shock.