The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Chemicals And Pharamceuticals Manufacture Of Basic Pharmaceutical Products And Pharmaceutical Preparations 21 - Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations
275 - 785 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
18 May 2010
Employment effect (start)
1 December 2010
Foreseen end date
1 May 2014
Description
US pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, which is among Ireland's largest employers, has announced 275 redundancies at its plant in County Kildare, and approximately 500 more job losses could follow in its other Irish plants. The 275 job losses announced thus far relate to a proposal to cease manufacture of oral contraceptives at the Kildare plant - a total of 770 jobs will remain at the plant.
Furthermore, Pfizer also said it plans to exit operations from three other Irish plants over the next few years: its solid-dose plant in Loughbeg, County Cork, its biotechnology plant in Shanbally, which is also in County Cork, and its aseptic facility in County Dublin. These various restructuring proposals are due to take place over the next 18 months to five years. The upshot is that a further 510 jobs could eventually be lost in addition to the 275 redundancies above: 210 jobs could be lost at Dun Laoghaire, 225 at Loughbeg and 75 at Shanbally if a buyer is not found for the facilities.
In relation to its worldwide restructuring plans, Pfizer said it would cut 6,000 jobs, or 18% of its global workforce jobs, at its 78 manufacturing plants over the next five years as it consolidates operations following last year's purchase of smaller rival Wyeth. Pfizer has said that it would cease operations at eight plants in Ireland, Puerto Rico and the US by late 2015 and reduce activities at six factories in those countries as well as in Germany and Britain.
On its Irish plans, Pfizer said it plans to exit its Dublin plant from the end of 2011 to 2014. It says it is closing its Loughbeg (Cork) site as its only product - Lipitor - is approaching loss of exclusivity. Operations there are expected to cease by early 2012. The company is due to leave its Shanbally (Cork) plant by early 2013 pending the launch of its tanezymab product, regulatory approval and technology transfer milestones. It said its Kildare plant will now focus on specialised technology with the potential to transfer up to five new products to the plant. The 275 job cuts will be phased out from the end of 2010 until 2014. The main cuts will be made in 2013, it is envisaged.
Eurofound (2010), Pfizer, Internal restructuring in Ireland, factsheet number 70564, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/70564.
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