12 January 2000

SIR REG EMPEY IN DISCUSSIONS ON TEXTILE & CLOTHING INDUSTRY

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, visited Newtownards today for discussions with the Mayor, Councillor Alan McDowell, and other Councillors about the worrying developments in the local textile and clothing industry.

Accompanied by Members of the Legislative Assembly, Alderman Tom Benson and John Taylor, MP, Sir Reg said he was very concerned that over the past two months a number of local employers had been hit by a series of problems - at Bairdwear, Hawkes Bay, Lamont and Regency Spinners - which could affect hundreds of jobs in the area.

The Minister said: "Job losses in any sector and in any part of Northern Ireland are very regrettable, but Ards and North Down have most recently been badly hit.

"Over the past few days I have been monitoring the situation as it has been developing and that is why I have come to Newtownards today, to see what can be done to help local communities to respond to the challenge posed by these unfortunate setbacks.

"I am concerned at the already higher than average rate of unemployment in the North Down and Ards areas, especially amongst men, and I am considering what help I might be able to offer to relieve this situation.

"The situation at the Baird factories in Bangor and Newtownards is especially difficult and the future prospects look bleak. In the case of the Lamont companies every effort will be made to identify prospective new owners.

"IDB will continue to work with all the companies concerned to identify what steps, if any, can be taken to safeguard employment by alleviating current trading difficulties or to facilitate a quick transfer to new owners.

"The impact of competition from imports from lower-cost economies and the strength of sterling continue to present formidable challenges to companies, particularly in traditional industries such as clothing and textiles.

"But I believe that Northern Ireland does have a future in textiles and clothing. We have some very strong and competitive companies employing in the region of 18,000 people with a vast resource of skills and knowledge.

"However the industry must continue to meet the challenge of increasing international competition by focusing on excellence in terms of innovative, higher added value products, customer services and a much closer integration in the global marketplace.

"To achieve this IDB is working with the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge and the Northern Ireland Textiles and Apparel Association (NITA) in improving competitiveness in local companies in today’s challenging global market. I will be meeting NITA soon to review the current situation in the sector.

"I appreciate that many local people may be finding themselves in a difficult situation with the prospect of losing their jobs so soon into the New Year. I urge them to take the help they will be offered by the company and local training and recruitment services.

"The world of work is changing and will continue to do so but there are now growing opportunities for people in dynamic new industries and services which did not exist a few years ago," Sir Reg added.