21 JOBS TO GO WHEN ITW HI-CONE CLOSES IN JUNE

There was bad news on the jobs front this week with the announcement that ITW Hi-Cone is to close at the end of June, with the loss of 21 jobs. The company, which produces plastic ring ties for cans at a plant in the Quartertown Industrial Estate, is in its 35th year in operation.

Cllr. Jerry Mullally said the company has provided valuable employment in the town since 1978, and he called on management to sit down with workers and discuss a satisfactory redundancy deal. “We seriously need to look at employment in Mallow, and a task force should be set up to look at the town and what the IDA is doing to promote it,” he said.

Mayor Noel O’Connor expressed sadness at the news, saying ITW Hi-Cone had provided good employment for almost 35 years. “My sympathies go to the workers, some of whom have been there since it opened, and we [the Town Council] must see what we can do to find a replacement industry. We will also be writing to the company to see if anything can be done to reverse the decision,” he said.

Following news of the closure, concerns have been raised about the future of the allotments which are in operation on land adjacent to the factory. The company donated the land to the community allotments group several years ago and they have proved a great success.