#GE20: Brian Stanley’s statement on Standex factory closure

Closure of Standex factory Mountmellick a disaster.

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley said “The closure of the Standex factory is a disaster for the town of Mountmellick. For the workers in the factory, some of whom have been there over 3 decades, this is a huge blow. The impact will be severely felt in the area as there are few opportunities in alternative employment in the area.

Happier times for Standex less than two years ago. Credit: IDA Ireland 

What this underlines is the urgent need for new industries to be located in what is the second largest town in the county. The IDA and Enterprise Ireland need to up their game in terms of attracting and supporting new industries in the area.

For my part if re-elected as a TD I will be raising this issue in the Dáil with the incoming Minister for Employment and I will also be seeking an early meeting with both the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. Mountmellick has seen a succession of job losses over the last 3 decades and it is time to reverse this trend.