C&C Group is to cut 150 jobs from its operations in Clonmel, Co Tipperary and Dublin, as part of a cost-cutting plan.
In a statement today, C&C, which produces Bulmers Cider, said the programme would deliver €10 million worth of savings a year.
Fine Gael South Tipperary TD Tom Hayes
According to C&C, a sharp rise in costs, particularly the estimated 15 per cent rise in ingredient costs for 2008 and 2009, forced the move.
The company also plans cost savings in warehousing, stock management and other supply chain operations. The cost of funding the redundancies will be approximately €15 million, C&C added.
Fine Gael South Tipperary TD Tom Hayes said the job losses were a blow to an area already facing significant unemployment. "This regrettable development is a double blow for the area, as Bulmers had initially planned to take on another 150 staff this year."
Constitutency colleague Dr Martin Mansergh said: "I hope that what has been a longstanding and high-profile local company . . . will be able to take back some or all of the employees in the future, when sales recover, and there is better summer weather.
He added that it was important that there is no rise in excise duty in the budget on cider "and indeed a reduction might be considered".
