More than 150 jobs are under threat as two firms in the north hit financial trouble tonight.
McNeill-McManus Glass Ltd, a family business in Mallusk, Co Antrim, called in administrators with 75 employees affected.
And up to 80 posts at Portuguese-owned Spanboard chipboard manufacturing plant in Coleraine, Co Derry are at risk, according to Assembly member David McClarty.
Administrators BDO Stoy Hayward said: "McNeill-McManus Glass Ltd has been significantly impacted by the downturn in the construction industry in the second half of 2008, with orders for its products and specialist glass installations having reduced notably."
In recent years it has invested heavily to benefit from the buoyant construction market, upgrading its glass toughening plant and installing a fully-automated line for the manufacture of double glazed units at its Mallusk factory.
"However, the decrease in the level of orders combined with severe cash flow pressures left the directors with no option but to place the company into administration," the spokesman added.
"The administrators are currently undertaking an assessment of the company's position with a view to its sale as a going concern."
Workers at Spanboard were told the bad news this evening.
Mr McClarty said: "This is yet another serious setback for the Coleraine area coming on top of impending redundancies at the AVX plant and the closure of several smaller businesses in the town.
"Spanboard has been a major employer in the town for many years but it too is being hit by the present recession and last July announced it was reducing its production to five days a week for a period because of the recent downturn in the building industry."
PA
