Siemens in Newtown jobs threat

Up to 40 jobs could be axed at a Mid Wales renewable energy factory by next March, it was revealed today.

Siemens wants to close its Newtown-based site and relocate the majority of its services back to its UK headquarters in Newcastle.

Factory bosses have now started a 30-day consultation process.

Rachel Odams, a spokeswoman for Siemens, said staff would be given the opportunity to relocate to other Siemens sites in the country.

She said the company wanted to relocate the majority of the service operation to it's UK headquarters in Newcastle and a small number of roles could also move to Wishaw in Scotland. Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, said he would do all he could for workers.

One member of staff, who did not wish to be named, said workers had been told on Monday and had been left devastated by the news.

"I have a family to support and I just don't know what to do. The news has come as a complete shock and come at a time when it's so close to Christmas," he said.

"I just hope something can be done to keep us all in employment."

Mrs Odams said staff would be supported throughout the consultation process.

"This proposal affects 40 employees who will have the opportunity to relocate and will be supported throughout the process. Relocation will be concluded by the end of March 2011," she said.

She said the proposals to close the Newtown site would form part of an integration programme aimed to support future business growth, especially in renewables.

"In addition to a central consolidated service function, operations in Wales and other areas will be supported locally by small contract based service depots," she added.

Siemens Energy Service UK is part of a global division.

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