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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| 298 jobs to go as factory shuts | 298 jobs to go as factory shuts |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Aluminium producer Alcoa has announced it will close its Swansea factory by the end of March 2007, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. | Aluminium producer Alcoa has announced it will close its Swansea factory by the end of March 2007, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. |
| The US company said the decision was made after years of "significant losses" for the plant due to rising energy, labour and materials costs. | The US company said the decision was made after years of "significant losses" for the plant due to rising energy, labour and materials costs. |
| The site, bought by Alcoa in 1968, employs 298, mainly producing aluminium for the drinks container industry. | |
| Union Amicus said it was "shocked and outraged" at the announcement. | Union Amicus said it was "shocked and outraged" at the announcement. |
| Amicus regional officer Paul Collier said: "Loyal staff working for Alcoa will be rightly outraged at this announcement and will be asking why the company is claiming they can no longer afford to operate out of Wales when they have been turning away orders from customers. | Amicus regional officer Paul Collier said: "Loyal staff working for Alcoa will be rightly outraged at this announcement and will be asking why the company is claiming they can no longer afford to operate out of Wales when they have been turning away orders from customers. |
| "We will fight this decision and we're urging that the company meets with the unions to discus a rescue plan." | "We will fight this decision and we're urging that the company meets with the unions to discus a rescue plan." |
| We deeply regret this outcome, particularly because of its impact on our employees and their families Plant manager David Cantieni | |
| Alcoa spokesman Kevin Lowery said the plant had been in financial trouble for some time, but that the planned closure had been a "tough decision". | |
| He told BBC Wales: "Unfortunately... in addition to some overall market conditions going on we have significant losses going on at the plant due to rising energy, high labour costs and material costs." | |
| Mr Lowery said the Swansea factory was unable to offset its costs in a market where there was already "excess capacity" to produce aluminium. | |
| When you have excess capacity it means that your cost situation has to be at its ultimate efficiency to be able to succeed in the business, he added | |
| "This facility has got a great workforce - good hard working people who have put forth a lot of excellent effort. Unfortunately they're just not going to be good enough." | |
| 'Impact' | |
| Alcoa is to start consultations with employee representatives within the next week. | Alcoa is to start consultations with employee representatives within the next week. |
| The company said it planned to offer its employees support such as job search workshops as part of the proposed severance terms. | The company said it planned to offer its employees support such as job search workshops as part of the proposed severance terms. |
| Swansea plant manager David Cantieni said: "We deeply regret this outcome, particularly because of its impact on our employees and their families." | Swansea plant manager David Cantieni said: "We deeply regret this outcome, particularly because of its impact on our employees and their families." |
| Alcoa - the second largest aluminium producer in the world - was founded as the Aluminium Company of America in 1886 by Charles Martin. | Alcoa - the second largest aluminium producer in the world - was founded as the Aluminium Company of America in 1886 by Charles Martin. |
| It went on to supply the aluminium for the engine of the world's first aeroplane, the Wright Brothers Flyer, and is seen as an iconic American corporation. | It went on to supply the aluminium for the engine of the world's first aeroplane, the Wright Brothers Flyer, and is seen as an iconic American corporation. |