Aerospace firm could axe 55 jobs

The company's Wrexham plant needs to find a replacement order

Union officials are holding talks with a Wrexham aerospace company to try to avert more than 50 redundancies.

Magellan Aerospace Structures based at Llay, has told staff the jobs are at risk following the loss of a major contract with the Airbus plant at Broughton in Flintshire.

It is understood the specialist engineering company will axe 55 posts.

Amicus spokesman John Hamilton said they were trying to save the jobs, adding: "This is a big blow."

He added: "We're trying to establish this north east corner of Wales as a centre of excellence for the aerospace industry and this is a setback to those objectives."

Mr Hamilton, a regional officer with the engineering union, said they had been told 40 jobs were under threat in the factory's fabrications department and 15 in the treatment plant.

Magellen specialises in precision engineering, metal surface treatments and assembly of aerospace components.

Amicus said the lost Airbus contract was in connection with the Hawk 800 business jet, which is built by the American aerospace giant, Raytheon.

The Broughton plant supplies wings and other components for the aircraft.

Mr Hamilton said: "Unless the company can bring in another large order, it looks certain that jobs will go."

Nobody from Magellan Aerospace Structures was available for comment on Monday.