Sensata to cut 160 jobs at Northern Ireland TPMS production factory

Antrim, Northern Ireland – Sensata Technologies is planning to cut 160 jobs at its tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) production facility in Antrim, the company has announced.

The cuts are in response to a “significant drop” in market demand due to the Covid-19 global pandemic and will be carried out throughout 2020 and 2021, said the manufacturer of sensors and switches in a 26 June statements.

The announcement came six months after the US-based company disclosed plans for a phased shutdown of another factory in Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland where it produces a range of TPMS systems and sensors. 

Sensata expanded into Northern Ireland in 2014 with the acquisition Schrader Electronics, and currently employs 1058 people.

However, the company said in January this year that its anticipated growth on the back of tightened European TPMS legislation did not materialise.

Commenting on the recent decision, Eric Sorret, VP at Sensata Technologies said the company had established that Covid-19 would have a “profound and lasting impact” on the demand for direct TPMS systems. 

“Vehicle manufacturers around the world are significantly cutting their forecasts for the coming years, with global passenger vehicle demand set to be reduced by between 20% and 30%,” he said.

Sensata has started a 90-day consultation period with the affected employees to find alternatives to compulsory redundancy.

“Despite these difficult operational decisions Sensata remains committed to Northern Ireland and will continue to invest in the development of 'smart and connected' products,” he concluded.