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Uncertain future for tape factory | Uncertain future for tape factory |
(30 minutes later) | |
The future of a long-established factory in Swansea is uncertain after managers announced a 90-day consultation with its 349 workers. | The future of a long-established factory in Swansea is uncertain after managers announced a 90-day consultation with its 349 workers. |
The 3M factory in Gorseinon, which opened in 1952, makes tapes, adhesives and aerosols but said it has experienced a decline in demand. | The 3M factory in Gorseinon, which opened in 1952, makes tapes, adhesives and aerosols but said it has experienced a decline in demand. |
The plant manager said "significant parts" of the business were facing "real challenges going forward." | The plant manager said "significant parts" of the business were facing "real challenges going forward." |
No such review is planned at 3M's other Welsh factory in Bridgend. | No such review is planned at 3M's other Welsh factory in Bridgend. |
Employees at 3M Gorseinon have been briefed on the challenges facing the site, said a statement from the company. | Employees at 3M Gorseinon have been briefed on the challenges facing the site, said a statement from the company. |
Unions are also in talks with management. | Unions are also in talks with management. |
John Bowers, plant manager, said: "We are experiencing a decline in demand for our products and this has forced us to consider the medium to longer term future of the plant. | John Bowers, plant manager, said: "We are experiencing a decline in demand for our products and this has forced us to consider the medium to longer term future of the plant. |
"Whilst we have identified some produce areas we believe will be sustainable over the longer term, there are also significant parts of the business facing real challenges going forward." | "Whilst we have identified some produce areas we believe will be sustainable over the longer term, there are also significant parts of the business facing real challenges going forward." |
Management had been working closely employees and the trade union to raise the plant's productivity, according to Mr Bowers, and everyone was working hard to reduce costs. | Management had been working closely employees and the trade union to raise the plant's productivity, according to Mr Bowers, and everyone was working hard to reduce costs. |
He added: "However, I think we all understand just how difficult it can be for manufacturers to remain competitive in the UK. | He added: "However, I think we all understand just how difficult it can be for manufacturers to remain competitive in the UK. |
Energy and oil prices had driven up the costs of raw materials leading to a "particularly tough time" in the last two years, he said. | Energy and oil prices had driven up the costs of raw materials leading to a "particularly tough time" in the last two years, he said. |
He said employees would be briefed on the outcome of discussions once the consultation period was complete. | He said employees would be briefed on the outcome of discussions once the consultation period was complete. |
The Gorseinon plant was set up in Gorseinon in 1952 and is the American company's oldest manufacturing facility outside the US. | The Gorseinon plant was set up in Gorseinon in 1952 and is the American company's oldest manufacturing facility outside the US. |
At its peak it employed 1,000 workers. | At its peak it employed 1,000 workers. |
The review began on Monday and is due to end in the second week of April. | The review began on Monday and is due to end in the second week of April. |
3M employs 75,000 people around the world, including 3,850 at its 17 plants in the UK. | |
The site in Bridgend manufactures microbiology products for the food and environmental industry. |