Up to 250 jobs to go at Galway electronics plant

A US technology firm is to shed up to 250 jobs in Galway, it was announced today.

American Power Conversions (APC), which makes electronic hardware for the computer industry, employs 550 people at its base in Ballybrit.

It has decided to cut between 200 and 250 of these jobs in an effort to streamline its operation and cut costs.

The company's manufacturing plant in Castlebar, Co Mayo, where 100 people are employed, will not suffer any redundancies.

It is understood up to 60 of the Ballybrit staff may be redeployed to Castlebar.

Some of the other Galway staff may be moved to locations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

APC, which is based in Rhode Island, reported sales of $2 billion dollars last year.