A buyer for a factory in Askeaton, Limerick that is threatened with closure will be hard to find, Unite has said. 

Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland Ltd makes infant formula for the Asian market but demand has fallen in recent years. 

Yesterday, the owners announced production of the formula would be moved to Switzerland and China, putting some 500 jobs at risk.  

Unite Regional Officer Jean O'Dowd predicted it would be hard to find a buyer that could save the factory’s workers from redundancy. 

“I don’t see how somebody could come in,” he said. 

“I absolutely hope they would; there are other companies in the country producing baby formula and perhaps they would be interested in it. 

“But I can’t see that happening.” 

Negotiations

Talks between the union and the company are due to begin in the coming days. 

“It won’t be until early next week when we get in there and actually see what the company is looking at, is there anything that can be done?” Mr O’Dowd said. 

“Because obviously… we need to preserve the jobs in the first instance - that’s key in this. 

“It’s key for our members, it’s key for the area.”

Main image: Father making baby formula . Picture by: Igor Stevanovic / Alamy Stock Photo.