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300 jobs lost as factory closes 302 jobs lost as factory closes
(40 minutes later)
A washing machine plant is to close with the loss of 302 jobs, the company has confirmed.A washing machine plant is to close with the loss of 302 jobs, the company has confirmed.
Workers at Indesit in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, will effectively leave at the end of July when the plant's annual summer shutdown begins.Workers at Indesit in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, will effectively leave at the end of July when the plant's annual summer shutdown begins.
Unions are angry alternative plans were rejected during consultation. Indesit said other options were unsustainable.Unions are angry alternative plans were rejected during consultation. Indesit said other options were unsustainable.
Unite said it would mean the end of washing machine manufacturing in the UK and expect work to switch to Poland.Unite said it would mean the end of washing machine manufacturing in the UK and expect work to switch to Poland.
A spokeswoman for the company, which also makes the Hotpoint brand, confirmed the closure.A spokeswoman for the company, which also makes the Hotpoint brand, confirmed the closure.
The company has blamed increased manufacturing costs as well as falling demand.The company has blamed increased manufacturing costs as well as falling demand.
Alwyn Rowlands, a full time official with Unite union, criticised the consultation process.Alwyn Rowlands, a full time official with Unite union, criticised the consultation process.
"There won't be a single washing machine plant left once Bodelwyddan has gone," he said."There won't be a single washing machine plant left once Bodelwyddan has gone," he said.
'Commitment and professionalism''Commitment and professionalism'
He called the consultation period with Indesit management as a "complete sham" and said the company had failed to consider alternative proposals to maintain production in north Wales.He called the consultation period with Indesit management as a "complete sham" and said the company had failed to consider alternative proposals to maintain production in north Wales.
"It was 'no,no,no' to everything we put to them," he said. "I think this was the way they wanted to handle it all the way along.""It was 'no,no,no' to everything we put to them," he said. "I think this was the way they wanted to handle it all the way along."
Mr Rowlands said he now expected production to be switched to a factory in Poland where workers were trained by staff from Bodelwyddan.Mr Rowlands said he now expected production to be switched to a factory in Poland where workers were trained by staff from Bodelwyddan.
Indesit said a number of options were evaluated, including alternative investment, resizing the factory and introducing new products to manufacture at the site.Indesit said a number of options were evaluated, including alternative investment, resizing the factory and introducing new products to manufacture at the site.
"Unfortunately, it was agreed by all parties that none of these options were sustainable and as a result of the continuing decline in the market, combined with increasing manufacturing costs, regrettably the decision to close the factory has had to be made," a company statement read."Unfortunately, it was agreed by all parties that none of these options were sustainable and as a result of the continuing decline in the market, combined with increasing manufacturing costs, regrettably the decision to close the factory has had to be made," a company statement read.
Indesit said it would be working with the Welsh assembly and Job Centre Plus to provide jobs assistance and skills training for the workers.Indesit said it would be working with the Welsh assembly and Job Centre Plus to provide jobs assistance and skills training for the workers.
Carlos Ramos, UK manufacturing director for Indesit said: "I would like to thank everyone at Kinmel Park for the continued commitment and professionalism that they have shown during this very difficult period.Carlos Ramos, UK manufacturing director for Indesit said: "I would like to thank everyone at Kinmel Park for the continued commitment and professionalism that they have shown during this very difficult period.
"It is now our priority to provide support via the Job Shop and help them to find new employment in whatever way we can.""It is now our priority to provide support via the Job Shop and help them to find new employment in whatever way we can."
The company said it was committed to the UK market and still employs 2,000 people.The company said it was committed to the UK market and still employs 2,000 people.
Indesit took over the Hotpoint brand in 2001 and as recently as 2004 employed 750 workers at Kinmel Park.Indesit took over the Hotpoint brand in 2001 and as recently as 2004 employed 750 workers at Kinmel Park.
It has two other bases in the UK, in Somerset and Peterborough, and claims to be the largest "white goods" company in the country.It has two other bases in the UK, in Somerset and Peterborough, and claims to be the largest "white goods" company in the country.
The Unite union has previously said Bodelwyddan's position had not been helped by the recent opening of an Indesit factory in Poland.The Unite union has previously said Bodelwyddan's position had not been helped by the recent opening of an Indesit factory in Poland.
Denbighshire Council has already said closure at Bodelwyddan would be a "major blow" to the economy. Denbighshire Council said closure would be a "major blow" to the economy.
A spokeswoman said the council was "very disappointed" the announcement had been made, despite the representations made by the council to the parent company in Italy.
"Council staff are now working with the company and government departments to provide advice to the staff who will lose their jobs and also to find alternative employment uses for the site," she said.