MFI shuts up shop in Hull

More than 300 jobs are being lost in Hull after the MFI furniture company announced plans to close three factories.

The plants, which make kitchen doors and furniture components, are based in east Yorkshire.

The company said the move was part of a three-year restructuring plan brought about because of changing trends in the industry.

It said extra investment would be pumped into other factories to help secure jobs and meet demand for new products.

The factories to be shut, which trade under the Hygena name, are at the Sutton Fields industrial estate, Hull, and at sites in Freightliner Road and Carlton Street in the city.

Demand for modern kitchens has led to the review

Bob Wilson, manufacturing and purchasing director for the MFI Group, said: "This is part of a review we have undertaken to align our manufacturing to a changing market."

Mr Wilson said that customers are now choosing a lighter-coloured, contemporary look for kitchens, instead of older-style darker woods.

The factories facing closure make traditional kitchen unit doors from darker woods such as oak.

Jobs created

Mr Wilson said about £8m was being put into other factories across the country to respond to these changes.

The cash will also lead to the creation of 90 new jobs in Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, and 30 in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

MFI Furniture, which includes the brand names Hygena and Schreiber, employs 2,700 workers in factories across the country.

Mr Wilson said managers will meet each member of staff affected by the closures to discuss the possibility of redeployment.