A leading car component manufacturer is to transfer production to Telford – creating 200 jobs. Mahle Air Filter Systems is closing down its Wiltshire base and moving its operations to Telford, where it already has a factory on Halesfield. The German-owned company makes air filtration products for the car industry.

It today confirmed its Halesfield 25 site would be redeveloped to accommodate the expansion in production and staff.

Mahle said its base in Salisbury would shut down by the end of 2009 with the loss of 440 jobs.

Stefanie Thiel, of Mahle International, said the plans to expand production at Telford came as a result of a review of the company’s manufacturing capacity in Europe.

She said there were 150 jobs at the Telford site, increasing to 190 by December 2009 and a further increase to

Employees at Salisbury will be offered the opportunity to relocate. However it is understood that many are unwilling to uproot their families.

She added: “The review was required in order to reduce overcapacity and achieve viable and sustainable long-term business. As part of the strategic restructuring, Mahle proposes to transfer production from the Salisbury facility.

“It is proposed that products hitherto made at Salisbury will be relocated to other sites in Europe, including the facility in Telford, which will undergo site development.

“The proposals call for the transfer to take place in phases, with the possible end of operations in Salisbury scheduled for late 2009.

“There are approximately 440 employees at the Salisbury site who may be affected by this announcement.

“We regret the impact that the proposal will have on the employees affected and intend to meet our social responsibilities in full and will provide support to the affected employees in finding new jobs.”

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