DUBLIN, Ireland–Waterford announced yesterday that it is cutting 280 manufacturing jobs at its plant in Waterford, Ireland, essentially ending its manufacturing presence there. The cuts, which have been anticipated and speculated upon in the European media and elsewhere, follows on the heels of larger layoffs made last year.
Although the company did not say where production would move, according to published reports, most previous manufacturing had shifted to Eastern Europe.
Waterford executives told employees at a general meeting yesterday that it plans to continue making a range of prestige hand-crafted crystal products in Waterford, along with its tourist trail and its Gallery operations. They also said they remain committed to the “retention of its intellectual property” in Ireland.
“As part of our on-going Group-wide review of operations, it has become clear that maintaining manufacturing operations in Ireland at their current level is not feasible,” said Anthony Jones, Group chief financial officer, in a statement. “Along with many other companies, we are, therefore, forced to find alternative means of production abroad. We recognize that Waterford is critical to the DNA of our brand and we will retain our visitor center and some prestigious manufacturing at Kilbarry.”