Up to 30 highly skilled jobs are at risk at the west Belfast operation of scientific camera-maker Andor Technology, the Unite union has said.
The company, which is based at the Springvale Business Park, announced plans earlier this year to invest £15 million to expand its presence in west Belfast, citing growing demand for its specialist camera products in China.
It followed significant period of growth for the business, with turnover rising 24% to £77m in the year to March 31 2023.
Andor Technology reported a pre-tax profit of £20m in that period and increased its workforce by 40 to 318 people.
But the company, which has been owned by Oxford Instruments since 2013, said it has faced “weaker than anticipated demand” in some key markets.
Unite regional officer Albert Hewitt said the 30 redundancies are being proposed “across the board” within the Belfast operation.
He has called on Andor to adopt a voluntary redundancy scheme, with an enhanced offer on the table for employees who wish to take a package.
“We want the company to resolve this as quick as they can and give the workers a bit more of an incentive to take voluntary redundancy, if they want to,” he said.
“We are urging the company to make an improved offer to make the package more accessible.”
Originally established in 1989 as a spin-out from research developed at Queen’s University, Andor Technology was later bought by the London-listed Oxford Instruments.
In a statement, Oxford Instruments said: “We are taking a number of measures to manage our cost base as we position our business given weaker than anticipated demand currently in some of our key markets.
“As part of this we have begun a process of collective consultation at our Oxford Instruments Andor site in Belfast, with a view to reducing the headcount of the business, including making a limited number of compulsory redundancies.
“Wherever possible, we will reduce the impact of this programme on employees by considering requests for voluntary redundancy or early retirement.
“Oxford Instruments Andor is also making a number of reductions in overseas roles.
“We are working with the employees impacted to support them through this process.
“We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for them and for the continued success of Oxford Instruments Andor, which remains a significant employer in Northern Ireland.”