The chief minister says he's saddened at news 35 jobs are to go with the closure of a specialist manufacturer in Onchan.
CVI Technical Optics is to shut by the end of March next year.
Allan Bell says the decision smacks of asset stripping - but it a sign of difficult economic times.
The company famously produced special optical instruments for a NASA Mars rover.
It’s part of the CVI Laser Group, which has said it is closing the factory because of a duplication of manufacturing facilities around the world.
Chief Minister Allan Bell:
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"It helped save my life"
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