Job cut talks at coat-hanger firm

The company specialises in making plastic coat hangers

A plastic coat-hanger manufacturer has entered into talks about job cuts at its plant in the Borders.

Mainetti is in discussion with unions about proposals for up to 55 job losses at its Jedburgh factory.

It comes a day after news that dental services firm Peri-dent was seeking up to 60 redundancies at its Borders site.

A spokesman for the company confirmed that consultation had started on job cuts, due to lack of work at the factory at present.

"With the difficult trading environment that retailers are having consequently the demand has substantially reduced," said Mainetti director of business Jim Hutchison.

He added that the company was also facing increased competition from China and India.

He said this meant it had to restructure the business, which currently employs about 300 people in Jedburgh.

A 30-day consultation with employees is already under way and comes to a close at the end of the month.

The Unite union is currently engaged in talks with management at the plant.