Closure threat for tools company

The company said it may have to consider moving its work abroad

About 85 workers at an engineering firm in Devon have been told their factory could be in danger of closing unless orders pick up.

Gleason Cutting Tools has been in Estover, Plymouth, for 42 years. It also has factories in China, India and the United States.

The firm has been hit by the recession-fuelled slump in sales.

The plant, which makes gear-cutting equipment for the automotive industry, laid off about 25 employees in April.

A further eight workers have been told they are facing redundancy and a Gleason's spokesman said if orders did not improve a decision would have to be made about whether to move its remaining work abroad.