Electronics firm closes plant

The company serves the telecoms market

Up to 140 jobs could be lost after an electronics firm announced its decision to close a Glasgow factory.

Framatome Connectors International (FCI) is shutting its plant in the Queenslie area of the city.

Unions said the decision showed the "perilous state" of Scotland's manufacturing industry - and were planning talks with management in an attempt to save jobs.

This was a very difficult decision and we will be co-operating with appropriate bodies to help our employees find alternative work

Dr Dominic McKay, FCI

FCI has two factories in the UK, with its other manufacturing plant located at Port Glasgow in the west of Scotland.

The company, which mainly serves the telecoms markets, currently has 60 production plants in 29 countries.

The firm said that the closure of the Glasgow plant had been prompted by the fall in demand for electronics components.

And a spokeswoman confirmed that about 140 jobs could be lost.

"The closure of this production facility is part of a plan to restructure the cable assembly manufacturing activity in Scotland," said Dr Dominic McKay, managing director of FCI System and Assembly Europe.

Danny Carrigan: "Perilous state" of industry

"This was a very difficult decision and we will be co-operating with appropriate bodies to help our employees find alternative work."

The Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) Scottish regional secretary, Danny Carrigan said: "This is another indication of the perilous state of the manufacturing industry in Scotland.

"It shows that this industry is disappearing before our eyes."

Regional officer Linda McCulloch described the decision as a "terrible blow" to the union's members.

The union was planning to meet on Wednesday to discuss the news and senior union officials have scheduled meetings with FCI staff for next Monday.

Ms McCulloch said: "These meetings will be held to see if anything can be salvaged."