Job losses 'could help save others'

The loss of up to 175 jobs at one of Telford's biggest manufacturers could help to save other workers and the company from further losses, chamber of commerce chiefs said today.

Bosses at struggling car parts firm Denso, based at Hortonwood, announced yesterday they would be making between 145 and 175 workers redundant due to the global downturn in the automotive industry.

The move came just days after Shimizu Industry UK, which is owned by Denso and employs 124 workers at its Hortonwood site, announced plans to move to its sister site in Welshpool.

On Wednesday the Earl of Wessex is due to tour the Denso plant.

Tony Randall, president of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise said it was important to remember that Denso employed about 900 people.

"Again this is a blow to our county, however, Denso do employ 900 people and if this secures the employment of the remaining staff and the security of the company these things have to take their course," he said.

Sarah Raper, chief executive of Transforming Tel-ford, said it was "very sad news" for Telford.

"It's a difficult decision for any business to make and with the economy generally slowing, it is even more important that we support local companies during this time and provide services such as the Recruitment and Redundancy Support Group and the HR Forum," she said.

David Wright, MP for Telford, said: "We knew Denso was consulting so in some ways it's not a surprise considering the scale of downturn in the car market.

"We need to move the car manufacturing stimulus package as quickly as possible so that we can start saving jobs in the supply chain."

Company bosses said a period of consultation with workers had already been launched and all workers across all areas of the plant would be affected.

Yesterday's news came hours after official figures showed that the number of new cars produced last month in the UK fell 59 per cent to just 59,777.

By Kirsty Smallman