Consumer electronics giant Philips has revealed plans to close one of its operations in Dublin, with the loss of at least 100 jobs, as a key administrative hub is moved to a lower cost location in Poland.
The company this morning told employees of its decision to close its European Accounting Services Centre in Clonskeagh by the end of June 2004.
The operation is responsible for the back-office administration of the European accounting functions of the consumer electronics giant.
It is understood that the accounting transaction activities will be transferred to the company’s Accounting Services Centre at Lodz in Poland.
The European Accounting Services Centre employs around 150 people. With the closure of the facility, the company said that there would be opportunities for the remaining 50 employees to obtain alternative employment within the company at overseas Philips operations.
The company attributed the decision to move the operation to the competitive nature of the global electronics business, which has resulted in Philips instigating a €400m business restructuring plan.
It is understood that Philips will continue to have a presence in Ireland in the form of its local sales team as well as its 90pc stake in Irish chip design firm S3, which employs more than 120 people in Sandyford. Last year S3 laid off 80 people as part of a restructure.
By John Kennedy
