Multinational nutrition, pharmaceutical and medical devices firm Abbott has announced that it will make 180 staff redundant at a factory in Sligo, Ireland.
Abbott will make the redundancies after deciding to exit the US nutritional device market to concentrate on its core business of science-based nutritional supplements. Around 130 people will remain at the plant which will continue to make nutritional devices for non-European markets.
The firm said that it hoped that it could make the redundancies on a voluntary basis over the next year.
"Abbott will be offering favourable redundancy terms and outplacement services will be put in place to support impacted employees. The immediate priority is to work with and support employees during the consultation process," said a company statement.
"Abbott regrets the impact of today's announcement on the affected employees and the local community."
Abbott employs around 4,000 people at 13 sites worldwide.
