Heating company Glen Dimplex has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 70 jobs at its plant in Dunleer, Co. Louth, due to a significant decline in demand for heat pumps across Europe. The redundancies are expected to be completed by October 2025.
The company stated that it will work closely with employee representatives, trade unions, and local agencies to support affected workers. This support will include outplacement services and training programs aimed at helping workers transition to new opportunities.
Glen Dimplex attributed the decision to several factors, including geopolitical developments, changing policies, and lower gas prices, which have contributed to weaker demand for heat pumps. As a result, the company plans to consolidate its manufacturing operations for low-carbon heating and ventilation solutions at its Newry plant, halting production at both Newry and Dunleer.
The move follows a broader reorganization plan announced by Glen Dimplex in February 2024, which also includes investments in its operations in Ireland and Lithuania. While the company warned of up to 300 job cuts in the short term, it promised that its workforce would grow by 200 roles by 2029.
In response to the announcement, Glen Dimplex emphasized its ongoing commitment to a multi-million-euro investment in the Dunleer facility. The investment will allow the plant to be repurposed to house the company’s sales and distribution arm, Glen Dimplex Ireland, which is relocating from Cloghran, Co. Dublin, and will bring 70 jobs to the area.
Labour Party TD Ged Nash criticized the announcement, calling it “a disaster” for the workers, their families, and the wider Dunleer community. He described the job cuts as “the death knell” for good manufacturing jobs at the Dunleer plant and pointed to redundancies from the previous year as further evidence of the company’s shifting priorities.
Nash called on Glen Dimplex to engage in meaningful discussions with unions, particularly SIPTU, to explore all possible alternatives to redundancies. If job cuts are unavoidable, he urged the company to cooperate with unions to ensure a fair and consultative redundancy process.
Glen Dimplex has stated that it remains committed to supporting the transition to a more sustainable future, despite the challenges posed by the current market conditions.
