BorgWarner denies Tralee plant has been sold

BorgWarner has denied its Tralee plant has been sold amid concerns the facility is in the process of being sold to a private developer.

Kerry County Councillor Jim Finucane says it's been brought to his attention that the plant could be sold or is going through a sales process, without the involvement of the IDA.

Cllr Finucane says the IDA should purchase the BorgWarner site in Monavalley to turn it into a new advanced manufacturing unit.

BorgWarner, which makes air heaters for the automotive industry, announced last July that it will close in March of this year, with the loss of 200 jobs.

Fine Gael councillor Jim Finucane now says he's been made aware that the plant might be in the process of being sold to a private developer.

He understands the IDA has not been given any advance warning of a sale, which he says is very disappointing.

BorgWarner has told Radio Kerry that its facility in Monavalley has not been sold yet, but that it will be closed as expected by the end of this month.

It says any reconciliation required with the IDA will be honoured, while the IDA claims it is continuing to engage with BorgWarner.

Cllr Finucane says this reconciliation should take the form of allowing the IDA to purchase the plant to turn it into a new advanced manufacturing unit, to return the courtesy shown to the company by the state.