Workers at a haulage firm, now in administration, were reassured just five weeks ago their jobs were safe.
A total of 200 jobs are to be lost at Cloughmills-based Reid Transport Ltd after attempts to sell it failed.
A letter posted to employees last month described concerns over the firm’s future as “unfounded” and “malicious rumours”.
On Wednesday, workers arrived for work as normal only to be told they were being made redundant.
“All of Reids received a letter from managing director, Liam Reid, that there was absolutely nothing to worry about,” said Reid Transport employee Sonia McCready."
The County Antrim company also has depots in Dublin, London, Manchester and the West Midlands.
Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers Efforts said every effort would be made to secure redundancy payments for the workers before Christmas.
This is a particularly difficult situation so close to Christmas, particularly when there is no prospect of saving the company and the jobs
Garth Callow
PricewaterhouseCoopers
‘No option’
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Garth Callow said the failure to find a buyer meant they had no option but to close the business and “implement an immediate redundancy programme”.
"A small number of workers are being retained to assist with an orderly run down of the operation, but drivers and sub-contract drivers already on the road have been asked to complete their current journey and they will be paid for this work.
“This is a particularly difficult situation so close to Christmas, particularly when there is no prospect of saving the company and the jobs,” said Mr Callow.