Jobs go at town plastics factory

The plastics products firm is a major employer in the area

Further job losses have been announced at a plastics factory at Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd.

Rehau, which produces window frame parts at the site, will shed 41 jobs adding to the 46 jobs lost at the plant in September and October last year.

Human resources director Clive Ware said the decision had been taken due to a down turn in the building industry.

Gwynedd County Councillor Dafydd Hughes said it was a "blow" to the town and especially young families.

The factory produces 'window profile systems' which are 6m long lengths of PVC which are used to produce window frames.

Mr Ware said the decision to lay the workers off had been taken due to the continued economic climate and the slow down in the building industry.

As part of the "overall measures" being taken at the plant which is "30% down in production needs", Mr Ware said there was a seven day stoppage at the plant this week, and another five-day stoppage later on.

Workers were not being paid for the stoppages, but it was being covered by a variety of measures such as holiday or flexible working, he said.

On the lay-offs he said: "We will be making a call for voluntary redundancies and we will also offer possible redeployment."

'Blow'

He stressed however that Rehau - which still employs over 200 workers in the town - is a global company and added: "We are not contemplating closure of the plant in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Local county councillor Dafydd Hughes said: "I was saddened when I heard about the company's decision," he said.

"Having 41 jobs go, on top of what had been lost before, is quite a blow for the town especially as the local quarries have also been cutting back."

Mr Hughes said he, and the other councillors in the town, were disappointed that the company had not approached the county council to discuss "any options".

"Young people in the area, who have bought a house, will be affected by this.

"It is a good employer, and the largest employer in the area," he added.