45 Cork jobs lost as city Dulux paint plant to close and move production abroad

More than 40 jobs are set to go in Cork city as the Northside’s Dulux paint production plant is set to close in the coming months.

Staff were informed on Thursday last week that the facility will shut its doors as part of an ‘industrial efficiency plan’ which will be fully finalised by the end of 2026. A Dulux employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, told CorkBeo that the closure is planned for August of this year.

It’s understood that this will impact 45 workers – many of which have worked at the site for over 30 years – and that planned production will be moved to other plants in the UK. The Cork site on Common’s Road opened back in 1885 alongside the founding of Dulux Paints Ireland. In January 2008, the company owners ICI Paints was purchase by Manufacturing giant AkzoNobel, making them one of the largest paint manufacturers in the world.

Managing Director at Dulux Paints Ireland Seamus O’Donoghue said: “We understand the impact this will have on our colleagues and know that the coming weeks will be really difficult for everyone in our Cork plant, many of whom have worked at the site for more than 30 years.

“We have an outstanding team in Ireland. But, as a global business we have an obligation to continually look at ways in which we can improve our processes, ensuring our products are produced more efficiently, while maintaining the highest standards of quality not just now but into the future.

“As a result, most of the site’s current volume would be manufactured in the UK where we have state-of-the-art technology alongside the capacity and expertise to ensure a consistent supply of high quality paint for the Irish market.”

A spokesperson for Dulux said they will concentrate on supporting those impacted by the closure, and that arrangements are being made to meet and consult with employee and union representatives. AkzoNobel have also confirmed the closure of factories at Groot-Ammers (The Netherlands) and Lusaka (Zambia). They confirmed employment in Dublin’s sales, marketing, warehousing and logistics operations would be unaffected.