Major contract will secure iralcos future for 10 years

Despite fears that it was due to layoff a significant portion of its workforce, C&F Automotive has announced that it has won a “major” new contract that it claims secures the future of its Collinstown plant for the best part of the next decade.

C&F, which trades as Iralco Ltd, issued a statement on Friday revealing that it has been awarded a new contract with one of the world’s largest original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) after a nine month battle, “despite fierce competition from a highly competitive international market”.

“The new business will keep the Collinstown plant running at levels it has grown accustomed to since the C&F Group saved it from imminent closure when it was rescued from liquidation back in 2008. The recently secured business will keep orders at the plant running up to 2024 and C&F will continue to fight for new contracts to safeguard jobs and grow the business further.

“The Collinstown plant is currently being restructured and streamlined in alignment with seasonal customer demand while also continuing to upskill our workforce, with a number of tool making apprenticeships which enables us to continue the skill of tool making in the heart of Westmeath manufacturing.

“We will also continue our intracompany training where we work closely with our sister plant in Germany.

“Securing this new business is attributed to shrewd financial management and the hard working, highly skilled workforce that is embedded within the company.

“This is great news for our loyal workforce and their families and also the wider north Westmeath and Longford areas, where C&F will continue to be the major employer, supporting the local economy.”

According Cllr Una D’Arcy, last Wednesday the firm informed Sinn Fein TD for Meath West Peadar Tóibín that it was seeking to put around 7% of its 400 plus staff on temporary layoff. While she welcomed the news that C&F has secured a new contract, Cllr D’Arcy said it is important that the 25 staff that face layoffs are re-employed as soon as possible.

“While this figures is lower that the rumoured numbers, it is still of significant concern to us. We understand that the firm is experiencing some level of churn with regards demand and it has stated that it seeks to re-employ the workers as conditions improve.”

Deputy Tóibín, SF spokesperson on jobs, and TD for Meath West, where the C&F plant is situated, said workers concerned about their positions should call him.

“The area between Westmeath and Navan has received little or no jobs focus from FG or Labour and this has to change. There is an increasing two-tier jobs market developing in this country at a severe cost to rural Ireland.”