Glen Dimplex's plan to cut 70 jobs in Dunleer called a 'disaster' by Labour TD
Company cite downturn in European market for heat pumps as a factor in decision to consolidate operations to Newry plant


The announcement that 70 manufacturing jobs at Glen Dimplex in Dunleer are at risk has been described as a “disaster” by local Labour TD Ged Nash, who is calling for urgent engagement between the company and workers’ representatives.
In February 2024 Glen Dimplex announced a major reorganisation and investment in its operations on the Island of Ireland and Lithuania to reposition itself for growth in the electric heating markets in Europe. A large part of these plans have been completed or are in progress.
In a company statement issued today Glen Dimplex said they are committed to a multi-million investment in its facility in Dunleer so that it can be re-purposed to accommodate a relocation of the Group’s fast growing sales and distribution arm (Glen Dimplex Ireland) and the 70 associated roles relocating from Cloghran, County Dublin.
“The major investment in the Group’s manufacturing site in Lithuania is well underway which will leverage existing manufacturing capacity and become a centre of excellence for storage heating and panel heaters”.
"During 2024 there has been a major contraction in the market for heat pumps across Europe due to Geopolitical factors, changing policies and support schemes, and lower gas prices. Due to the weaker demand outlook for heat pumps across Europe in the near future, Glen Dimplex is proposing to consolidate its investment and manufacturing capacity for low carbon heating and ventilation solutions in its Newry plant rather than continuing operations in both Newry and Dunleer. Glen Dimplex remains firmly committed to the energy transition and the Newry plant will benefit from investment as it scales to manufacture these low carbon solutions, including heat pumps”.
Regrettably, the proposed consolidation is expected to result in the loss of approximately 70 jobs in Dunleer and would be completed by October 2025.
Management will work with employee representatives in Dunleer, trade unions and local training and support agencies to support colleagues through this change and to deliver appropriate outplacement and training supports.
Deputy Nash has expressed deep concern over the latest round of potential redundancies, which follow a previous wave of job losses at the plant last year. He warned that any pledges the company made in the context of the last round of redundancies would be met with “the scepticism it deserves.”
“It sounds the death knell for good manufacturing jobs at the Dunleer plant and is a major blow to workers, their families and the wider community in Mid-Louth,” Nash said.
Ged Nash, Labour.
While Glen Dimplex has signalled plans to expand warehousing jobs at the facility, Nash criticised the company’s handling of past redundancies, saying that their treatment of workers and their union, SIPTU, had been “contemptuous” and that they need to learn from it.
“The company’s behaviour over the last year will not inspire confidence among the people of Dunleer and Mid-Louth,” he added.
Deputy Nash has been in contact with SIPTU and the company and is urging the company to engage meaningfully with SIPTU and their representatives to explore every alternative short of job losses and ensure any redundancies are handled fairly.
Read more
“If it is the case that redundancies cannot be avoided, the company must co-operate with unions to deliver a fair, collective and genuinely consultative redundancy process. Workers who may be made redundant should be recognised for their hard work, their skills and their loyalty with a package that is fair, decent and is benchmarked against established norms,” he stated.
He also called for government and state agencies to step in to support affected workers and attract new jobs to the region.
“This is an enormous blow for the town of Dunleer and the Mid-Louth region and requires a national response from government and State agencies to bring new jobs to the region and make sure affected workers find alternative employment quickly.”
Local Fine Gael Deputy Paula Butterly said: “I am deeply concerned and disappointed that Glen Dimplex has had to cut jobs at the Dunleer plant and know that this morning’s news will be devastating for the workers and their families.
“No effort must be spared to aid staff in securing new employment.
“While Glen Dimplex had announced a major reorganisation last year, signalling that there would be up to 300 redundancies in the short term, today’s news cannot be easy for the workers affected.
“Glen Dimplex has given major employment to Louth, and I note that it remains committed to a multi-million investment in the Dunleer facility, with an ambition to increase by 200 jobs by 2029. This is positive in the medium to long term and welcome.
“However, now, everything must be done to ensure that staff and their families get the support they need, whilst also seeking alternative employment and upskilling.
“It is now imperative that we do all we can to attract more investment to Louth in light of this announcement. We have the workforce and infrastructure to be a hub for industry and we have a 40-acre IDA site which is primed and ready to provide highly skilled employment.
“I will be in touch with Glen Dimplex to ensure that appropriate redundancies are provided and that the company meet their statutory obligations, as they have promised.
“I have impressed upon my Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, to ensure that the Government provides the affected staff with whatever assistance is required at this difficult time and to work with the state agencies to ensure that engagement is maintained at the highest level, so all avenues are pursued to safeguard jobs, if there is any possibility to do so,” concluded Deputy Butterly.