Fork lift firm promises job boost

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7065453.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A fork lift truck maker says it will create a "substantial" number of jobs by making Merthyr Tydfil its centre for heavy trucks.

Linde Material Handling has announced a £16m expansion at its factory, where it already employs about 400 staff.

The plant will become the base to manufacture four new trucks.

Sheffield Hallam University research has named Merthyr as one of the three areas in the UK with the highest levels of "real" unemployment.

The university said claimant count unemployment did not show the real level of joblessness because of the much higher level of those on incapacity benefit.

The company said it planned to double its heavy truck sales over four years.

A spokeswoman said it was too early to put a figure on the number of new jobs, "but it will be substantial."

She added: "Investment will be focused on the development of new trucks, extending the infrastructure, modernising machinery at the plant, and staff training.

"The initiative of Linde Material Handling aims at further increasing the share of Linde Heavy Trucks in a rapidly growing market, driven by the increase of world trade."

The firm said it was in discussion with trade unions "to best manage the period between the end of production of an older small fork lift model in 2008 and introducing the new heavy truck models between 2009 and 2010.

"By the end of 2011 heavy truck production is expected to be fully loaded and, subject to market conditions, there will be opportunities to further increase the workforce at the Merthyr Tydfil plant."