Staff at a Powys car parts firm have spoken of their shock after administrators admitted defeat and decided to close the company.

A total of 74 people lost their jobs after Floform in Welshpool ceased trading earlier this week.

Zolfo Cooper, joint administrators, said the business, which supplied a number of manufacturers including Volvo, was no longer viable as key customers have withdrawn their orders. 

Staff were told they had five minutes to pack up their belongings and leave after being told on Monday.

Politicians, staff and union officials met yesterday  outside the company’s site in Henfaes Lane to discuss a way forward.

Sylvia Harding, from Welshpool, who had worked at Floform for more than 22 years, said the news had come as a complete surprise to everyone. “We knew the company had been experiencing some difficulty, but we never expected this to happen,” she said.

“This has knocked all of us for six and none of us has any idea what to do with ourselves; most of us have never been in this position before.

“We went in on Monday morning and were told to pack up our things and leave the same day. No-one told us anything other than to leave.”

Jane Jones, of Welshpool, said she was waiting to hear what redundancy package would be offered to workers.

“I’ve worked here for 22 years and this is a very sad time for us at the moment,” she said. “We were a great team and we worked together really well and it’s just very sad.”

Howard Wright, of the Transport and General Workers Union, said he had agreed to get Zolfo Cooper, joint administrators, to meet with staff next week.

“This is a devastating blow for Welshpool,” he said. “The first I knew about the 74 job losses was on Monday afternoon. I was never told beforehand.

“There have been people working at the factory for more than 40 years and I feel sorry for them, I really do.”

Mick Bates, Montgomeryshire AM, said a meeting for all 74 workers would take place at the Corn Exchange, Welshpool, on Monday. “All the support services, including JobCentre, will be at the meeting to discuss options available to the staff,” he said.

By Anwen Evans