SIPTU representatives are to meet with senior management at Leprino Foods in Portlaoise today following the announcement that the company intends to cease production at the plant in 2026.
SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Terry Bryan, said: “Our immediate thoughts are with our members and their families following this shocking announcement this afternoon.
“We have already been in contact with the company and have confirmed that we will meet with them tomorrow to discuss the full implications of the decision.
“We will engage with the company directly to see if we can lessen the impact of the decision upon our members and their families and try to explore alternatives to the proposed job losses.
“The company is a significant employer in the Portlaoise and Midland area, employing 130 workers.
“It has only been in operation since 2020 and is a modern, state-of-the-art facility. This is both a shocking and regrettable announcement.
“SIPTU’s focus and concern is for our members and our members’ families at this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, local politicians have reacted to the news with disappointment and anger.
Independent TD Brian Stanley called on the IDA to do more in Laois.
He said: “This plant provided hope that at last some large-scale manufacturing would happen in the Laois area, as such industry would be attractive.
“The withdrawal of Glanbia from the partnership at this plant 2 years was an ominous sign.
“I am calling on the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to once and for all start taking Co. Laois serious in terms of Industry.
“The fact that the IDA only had two visits to Laois in the last year, is an appalling record.
“While Laois County Council (LCC) have done more than the two together in terms of jobs in Laois. It is now time for the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to re-double their efforts.”
Fianna Fail’s Sean Fleming said: “This is very difficult and distressing news for the 132 employees who worked in the plant and their families. We must all do what we can to find replacement jobs as soon as possible for these employees.
“This Leprino facility, making mozzarella cheese and string cheese, is located at the edge of the motorway near Portlaoise.
“I am asking Leprino, (an American owned company), to do everything in its power to continue to explore options for the manufacturing plant and to see is any other company interested in taking over the plant.
“This is a very high quality, new facility connected with the dairy industry and there must be options for the plant to be used, if not for cheese manufacturing, for some other processing facility for the dairy industry.
“IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland must immediately visit this plant with a view to ensuring that they find a replacement business for this facility.
“Over the years the IDA has been useless in terms of bringing jobs to Laois and they must now prove that they have a genuine interest in bringing jobs to the County.
“The number of IDA visits to Laois in recent years has been unacceptably low and they must now prove their worth to the County.
“Enterprise Ireland must also seek to bring a replacement industry to this the Leprino manufacturing plant.
“Enterprise Ireland is closely connected to Irish run businesses and there must be an opportunity in view of the dairy industry being so strong in Ireland that there must be a possibility to link this plant with some other major players in the irish or international food production industry.
“IDA and Enterprise Ireland must work together in bringing replacement jobs to this modern plant in Portlaoise as urgently as possible.”
Fine Gael’s Willie Aird said: “I have been in immediate contact with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, to press the urgent need for Government engagement with the company, with staff representatives, and with potential new operators.
“The J17 National Enterprise Park facility is a world-class site, and it is vital that every effort is made to ensure that it does not lie idle following Leprino’s departure.
“We need to pursue milk processors and other agri-food companies across Ireland to examine the potential of taking up this cutting-edge production facility.
“The skills, infrastructure, and workforce are here in Laois, and we must work collectively to safeguard local employment.
“While today’s announcement is deeply disappointing, I want to assure the affected staff that their concerns are my immediate priority.
“I will continue to work with Minister Burke, state agencies, and industry stakeholders to seek a viable future for this facility and to protect jobs in our community.”
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