Armstrong reacts to Savile Row Announcement
Mid Ulster UUP MLA Billy Armstrong has today reacted to the news that the Savile Row Shirt Company has announced a total of 70 redundancies at their Castledawson plant due to loss of orders. The company has already entered into consultations with trade union representatives over the issue. The redundancies will lead to a staff of 23 being maintained at the factory, employed mainly in the mail order department.
Billy said: ‘‘I’m obviously very sad to hear of this move being taken, but this is an unfortunate result of increasing international competition. Savile Row has been committed to the Mid Ulster area for over forty years, from their old factory in Tobermore, and their newer plant in Castledawson. In all that time, they have been an important employer and a lynchpin of the local economy, with a good deal of family connections down through the years, which makes this decision all the more emotional. It says a great deal for their confidence in this area that their mail order, alterations and monogramming services are all based in Castledawson. It is also positive to hear that the company plans to relocate its call centre to the local plant. The loss of a very important contract to a rival-manufacturing firm has been a blow, and I’m sure the company imparted the sad news to their employees as early as they could.
However, none of the company’s plans for the future are of any real benefit to the 70 individuals who will potentially find themselves unemployed quite soon. This decision marks the end of a manufacturing era in Castledawson. I know that all the staff at the Savile Row factory are very enthusiastic, but unfortunately, even that virtue cannot compete with increased competition from elsewhere in the European Union. I trust the company will do whatever it can to make this blow as painless as possible, and take any opportunity that may arise to limit these redundancies. Their consideration for their employees will be very important at this stage. To those who face redundancy, let me assure them that if I can assist in any way to contact my office.