Gorka Schmitt and Adrian Curry at the glass factory.
INVESTMENT of £22m into one of the county’s biggest private employers is expected to secure jobs well into the future.
Encirc, formally Quinn Glass, which employes almost 450 in Derrylin, confirmed to the Fermanagh Herald that the investment into the two glass furnaces and machinery would take place over the course of the next four to five years.
The company also confirmed that workers at the plant are to gain 5% pay rises over the next two years.
Encirc was bought over by Spanish company Vidrala at the turn of the year for around €400m. The company sought to quickly allay any fears over job losses. At the time, managing director of Encirc, Adrian Curry, said that the factory here had a ‘bright future’.
Yesterday, Tuesday, Unite the Union’s Ireland secretary, Jimmy Kelly, met with bosses at the plant for a tour. Unite represents around 50% of operations workers
The company has been working closely with the union for the past number of years.
James Currie, HR Director for Encirc, said: “We are delighted to have an agreement in place for two years, which means we can concentrate on growing our business through our training, development and investment programmes. The tour around the plant allowed us to share and reaffirm the company’s commitment to the Derrylin site, and allowed us to demonstrate the past and indeed future investment strategy.”
And, speaking yesterday, Unite’s Jimmy Kelly said: “When they bought the glass plant, Unite sought and received assurances from new owners Vidrala that they would commit to upgrading the existing furnaces when necessary over the next few years. Management have reiterated this promise which is a very sizeable investment indicative of the long-term commitment Vidrala has expressed for local production.
“The pay deal negotiated and agreed between management and workers will underpin the growth and development of Encirc and secure vital employment for the Fermanagh-Cavan area.”
The glass plant manufactures, designs and bottles for the UK and Irish food and beverage market. Across its two purpose built sites in Derrylin and Elton, Chesire, the company produces more than 2.5 billion glass bottles and other containers annually, and can fill up to 250 million litres of bulk shipped beverages every year.
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