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200 jobs threatened at two firms 200 jobs threatened at two firms
(about 1 hour later)
Nearly 200 jobs could be lost by two firms in the construction and automotive industries in south Wales.Nearly 200 jobs could be lost by two firms in the construction and automotive industries in south Wales.
Wacker Construction Equipment is to close its plant on the Crown Business Park in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, where 97 people are employed.Wacker Construction Equipment is to close its plant on the Crown Business Park in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, where 97 people are employed.
It is transferring its wheel dumper production line to an Austrian site and blamed a 48% fall in orders.It is transferring its wheel dumper production line to an Austrian site and blamed a 48% fall in orders.
Meanwhile, Northern Automotive Systems, has proposed up to 99 redundancies at its site in Gilwern, near Abergavenny.Meanwhile, Northern Automotive Systems, has proposed up to 99 redundancies at its site in Gilwern, near Abergavenny.
The company said that a period of consultation with staff is now taking place but that it had not determined the exact number of job losses which will occur.The company said that a period of consultation with staff is now taking place but that it had not determined the exact number of job losses which will occur.
It supplies aluminium products to the European automotive industry and its key customers include Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, Volvo and VW.It supplies aluminium products to the European automotive industry and its key customers include Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, Volvo and VW.
'Relieve pressure' A blast furnace at Corus' Port Talbot steel works will be shut temporarily
Wacker is to move its production of wheel dumpers to its plant in Linz and close down its Welsh operation afterwards.Wacker is to move its production of wheel dumpers to its plant in Linz and close down its Welsh operation afterwards.
On its website, its parent company Wacker Neuson said the move had been driven by global economic problems where the market for wheel dumpers had felt the "worst affects of the downturn".On its website, its parent company Wacker Neuson said the move had been driven by global economic problems where the market for wheel dumpers had felt the "worst affects of the downturn".
It said the closure of the plant in Wales was expected to "greatly relieve pressure on the company's cost structure" and bring "substantial savings for the company".It said the closure of the plant in Wales was expected to "greatly relieve pressure on the company's cost structure" and bring "substantial savings for the company".
In a statement, it added: "In the first nine months of 2008, the company has seen orders for its wheel dumpers fall by an unprecedented 48% against the same period last year.In a statement, it added: "In the first nine months of 2008, the company has seen orders for its wheel dumpers fall by an unprecedented 48% against the same period last year.
"With market conditions predicted to worsen, the closure of the Welsh plant and the integration of remaining production within an existing plant in Austria, is part of a package of planned measures to cut costs across the group.""With market conditions predicted to worsen, the closure of the Welsh plant and the integration of remaining production within an existing plant in Austria, is part of a package of planned measures to cut costs across the group."
The company said it was committed to finding socially responsible solutions for all staff affected by the upcoming layoffs.The company said it was committed to finding socially responsible solutions for all staff affected by the upcoming layoffs.