Sensata to close TPMS manufacturing plant in Northern Ireland

Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland – Sensata Technologies has announced plans to shut down its tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) production plant in Carrickfergus by early 2021 in response to a decline in demand.

“We are facing a perfect storm of European market conditions which have led to a significant drop in demand for the product lines currently manufactured in Carrickfergus,” said Yann Etienvre, SVP, global operations at Sensata Technologies. 

In a 10 Jan statement, the manufacturer of sensors and switches said it had started consultation with employees for the phased closure of the plant, which it expects will result in 270 job cuts.

Based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Sensata currently operates two sites in Antrim and Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland where it produces a range of TPMS systems and sensors. 

The company said it had experienced significant growth in manufacturing and R&D in Northern Ireland since its 2014 acquisition of Antrim-headquartered TPMS manufacturer Schrader Electronics.

However, the company’s anticipated growth on the back of tightened European TPMS legislation did not materialise.

“Unfortunately, this has not happened as indirect sensing solutions continue to be permitted by the European authorities,” Etienvre added.

Etienvre also linked the slow demand to a fall in the automotive industry and consolidation in the market, wherein existing customers are absorbed into large entities whose manufacturing processes use alternative products. 

In its review of organisational model, Sensata said it would remain committed to its Northern Ireland operations. 

“We continue to manufacture products at our Antrim site and we are on target with our plans to develop an R&D centre of excellence there,” Etienvre added.