Announcement of proposed closure comes as a shocking blow to workforce

Unite the union has blasted today’s announcement by Glen Dimplex of plans to close its Portadown factory. Management issued a statement indicating that work on storage and panel heaters will move to Lithuania with production at the Portadown site ceasing in 2025.

The union said shutting the site, which employs approximately 200 workers, makes no sense given the soaring profits and dividends reported by the group. The latest accounts of the Glen Dimplex Europe holding company show it paid out 3.8 million euros in dividends on 42.8 million euros of profits in the 2021-2022 financial year.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said: “Workers were brought together to hear this morning’s announcement without any warning. Many have been employed at the site for decades and the impact on them will be devastating. Shutting this factory will strike hard at the economy throughout the Portadown area. 

“There is no possible justification for closing this site given the huge profits and bumper dividends reported by Glen Dimplex. This is a very profitable company with an expanding turnover and Portadown continues to make a huge contribution to that. From speaking to our shop stewards, it is clear the entire workforce is in shock at this announcement. Our job now is to quickly discuss this unjustified threat and our next steps in response.“