Fears that up to 500 jobs could be lost at HP in Leixlip

8 Feb 2017

There are fears that 500 jobs could be lost at HP in Leixlip. Image: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

There are fears that up to 500 jobs could be lost at HP Inc in Leixlip, as workers anxiously await news ahead of a meeting with management this morning.

Staff are due to meet with management this morning (8 February) to discuss the future of the Leixlip operation where technology giant HP Inc manufactures inkjet cartridges.

In 2014, HP announced that it was splitting into two companies: HP Inc would continue to make consumer devices like PCs, printers and ink cartridges while Hewlett Packard Enterprise would focus on opportunities in the cloud and business transformation.

Between them, the two businesses employ around 4,000 people in Ireland.

Financial pressure

However, HP Inc has run into financial pressure and in October last year, it revealed plans to cut 3,000-4000 jobs between 2017 and 2019 as part of a $500m restructuring drive.

HP Inc is battling falling PC sales and the fact that people are printing less documents.

The company has been manufacturing inkjet cartridges in Leixlip since 1995.

Across the operation on the Leixlip campus, workers are engaged in manufacturing, sales, business analytics, treasury management and business analytics.

HP building. Image: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

Updated, 8.28am, 8 February 2017: This article was updated in line with HP’s release of a statement this morning, which said: “HP confirms that it is holding a briefing with its Leixlip employees this morning at 10am.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com