69 Telford jobs at risk in plan to move part of Link 51 company
Almost 70 jobs are at risk at a Telford manufacturer after it revealed plans to move part of its business to Milton Keynes.
Link 51 is looking to bring together its two pallet racking operations on a single site in Buckinghamshire, a move which affects 69 staff at its factory at Halesfield 6.
The company says it is looking to minimise redundancies, but the move is likely to lead to job losses among the 61 production staff and eight sales and support staff.
The company, which is part of the Whittan Group, also produces lockers at its factory. The move does not immediately impact on that side of the operation.
HR director Simon Jelley said: "To ensure we are able to meet future challenges in the light of recent steel price increases, turbulent market conditions and the future uncertainties following the Brexit vote, the Whittan Group has had to review their current manufacturing footprint.
"This is to ensure we have the optimum output and efficiencies from our operations, supported by a competitive cost base. One option has been to look at a single pallet racking production facility.
"The conclusion of this review is a proposal to relocate the manufacturing facility for pallet racking out of Telford and into the Milton Keynes site."
He added: "This does mean there's an impact on jobs at our Telford pallet racking site. The group has now begun, in line with legislation, the formal consultation process. We will be handling the situation very sensitively with employees. Our primary concern will be to avoid as many job losses as possible."
