Page 126 - Crisis Communication Practical PR Strategies

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years: ‘They will always be remembered here with respect and
affection.’
Worker representative John Regan of SIPTU said that the
way the closure was handled was unique: ‘There won’t be
another in this country so well run or brought to a satisfactory
conclusion for everybody. I believe that the package that was
put together was fair and reasonable and very good for the
workers.’
Ballivor school principal William Keegan echoed the affec-
tion for NEC in the community and outlined many of the com-
munity initiatives undertaken by the company.

The following evening, Saturday 30 September, a more social
event was held for employees and their partners in a local hotel.
More than 500 people attended, including the Japanese
Ambassador to Ireland, Keiichi Hayashi, and the Irish Minister
for Communications, Noel Dempsey, TD, who lives in the area.
Key to achieving a smooth and uncritical closure was the fact
that the company behaved with concern for its employees and
customers, as it had consistently done throughout its history. This
concern was reflected in the communication programme and
the detailed approach to alerting all stakeholders in an appro-
priate fashion. As a result there were no premature media
stories. The company message was presented fully and accu-
rately and was therefore completely understood.
The legacy of NEC Semiconductors in Ballivor, County Meath,
will live through a number of initiatives. It supported a local
group, ‘Next Era Calling’ set up to seek an alternative industry
for the site. It also donated funds to have a disused church con-
verted into a public library in the village, and to the work of
Equal Ireland to help fund its BA degree in Humanities in the
Workplace and Community Practice. The donation to both of
these projects was the final act of the company as it closed its
doors.