Fears for hundreds of jobs at major Midlands factory

THERE are fears for hundreds of jobs this evening in Tullamore as it emerged that a major announcement is expected to be made by Cardinal Health on Thursday.

Employees at the medical device manufacturer were “all sent home” on Wednesday afternoon according to a local Fianna Fail councillor, Tony McCormack.

In a social media post, Cllr McCormack said: “Sad news eminating from Cardinal Health this evening. Won’t know the full details until after meeting between employees and management tomorrow at 10am. My thoughts are with the employees and their families this evening as they ponder what news that meeting brings. I will contact the Tainaiste Michael Martin and Minister for Jobs Peter Burke to ensure that should there be job losses that the employees get properly looked after. This plant has been owned by different medical device companies since it opened its doors in 1984. It is a great contributor to the local economy. Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst and wait to see what tomorrow’s meeting brings.”

Another local source said the Wednesday night shift at the plant had been cancelled.

There was no activity at Cardinal Health when the Tribune visited Srah Business Park in Tullamore on Wednesday evening.

Cardinal Health is a US-owned global leader in the health tech sector. It bought Tullamore-based Medtronic in 2017 when there were about 350 employees at the plant.

Previously Medtronic had bought the Tullamore Covidien operation.

In the mid-1980s the plant was known as Sherwood Medical and was a key player in the local industrial scene and an IDA standard bearer for the healthcare and life sciences sectors in the Midlands, becoming part of the Tyco Healthcare group.

Cardinal Health has been approached for comment.