Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector suffered another body-blow today when a Japanese-owned car components company announced it was closing its east Belfast factory with the loss of all 550 jobs.
TK-ECC, formerly known as Fisher Body, which makes seat belts, is expected to close in weeks following negotiations with the unions.
Managers are blaming "overwhelming competition" from abroad.
Mr Peter Williamson, regional secretary of Amicus union, said the announcement had come "completely out of the blue" for both the workforce and union.
The news came little more than 12 hours after the announcement of the loss of 270 textile jobs at Sion Mills, Co Tyrone with the closure of Herdman's spinning mill.
PA
