End of an era in Limerick as staff clock out at Wyeth Nutritionals for last time

IT’S the end of an era in West Limerick as the last remaining staff at Wyeth in Askeaton clocked out for the final time.

The last day of March brought the curtain down on more than 50 years of milk formula production at the vast site, which over the years has employed thousands of people.

In October 2023, the local economy was rocked by the news of the closure of the factory, with Wyeth’s parent company Nestle blaming a slowdown in the demand for baby formula.

A move which cost more than 540 jobs locally, the firm announced it would shift production to two sites in China and Switzerland.

The vast majority of the positions were in production, but research staff also lost their jobs.

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In a statement to Limerick Live, Nestle confirmed the end of work in Askeaton.

“Since we announced the closure in October 2023, we have worked very closely with employees and provided access to a comprehensive support programme which included providing additional skills and expertise to further their careers outside of our Askeaton facility. Wyeth Nutritionals has a long and remarkable history in Askeaton, providing infant nutrition products for millions of children across the world. Our employees have played a significant role in continuously upholding the highest standards in infant nutrition production,” a company spokesperson added.

The 40-acre site of the factory went on the market last year, with offers from €22m being accepted.

Former councillor and Mayor of Limerick Kevin Sheahan, who lives in Askeaton, says there is frequent speculation around the future of the site.

“We are living in hope there will be an announcement made. I cannot see with half the children of the world hungry, that this place would close completely. I cannot see it happening,” he said.

The wind-down of operations at Wyeth locally put a global spotlight on Askeaton.

The remaining large employer in the area, Rusal at Aughinish - employing over 500 locally - has been in the news for reasons related to the Russia-Ukraine war in recent weeks.

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Fine Gael Adare-Rathkeale councillor Adam Teskey said when the news filtered through of the closure of the Wyeth factory, he was immediately in contact with senior Government ministers pushing them to try and secure alternative employment in Askeaton.

“Not one piece of correspondence have we got from central Government. I feel very let down by the party that I represent, I feel let down by the powers that be. This is a huge economic dent in our local economy and there will be repercussions,” Cllr Teskey said.

“This is a tale that will be remembered. It’s the closing of an unforgettable chapter of a period which brought great employment to the area. It brought well-paid jobs. We think of the staff today, we think of the families who were fed and found as a result of Wyeth Nutritionals basing its plant in Askeaton,” the councillor added.

For Mr Sheahan, Wyeth’s presence in the town brought a new lease of life, particularly to grass-roots groups.

“The number of people from the surrounding area who benefitted from being employed there was huge. So many of them came from rural and farming communities. They’ have got sites at home, built houses, and become involved in voluntary organisations. They reactivated rural life in Askeaton, and it was marvelous. It’s been a great employer and provided a clean industry,” Mr Sheahan concluded.