212 jobs lost at Belfast car parts firm

More than 200 jobs have been lost in Belfast today after the car components firm Visteon entered administration.

The company, which was formerly owned by Ford, employs approximately 600 people at three plants in the UK at Belfast, Basildon and Enfield.

“Visteon is committed to taking decisive actions in view of the current challenging operating environment to protect the long-term viability of the business,” said Donald J Stebbins, chairman and chief executive officer of Visteon Corporation.

“Despite extensive restructuring efforts, the UK plants have continued to incur substantial losses. Regrettably, having exhausted all options, the Visteon UK Ltd board of directors had no alternative but to file for administration.”

Visteon is a leading global car components supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures climate, interior, electronic and lighting products

The company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 33,500 people.

Sinn Féin west Belfast MP Gerry Adams this afternoon expressed deep disappointment at the decision by Visteon to close the Belfast plant

“Sinn Féin has been liaising closely with the management of Visteon in Britain and in Belfast, and with the local workforce. Our goal throughout has been to retain much needed local employment and defend the rights of the Visteon workers,” he said.