Shake-up sees 120 jobs lost
Bridgnorth was dealt a major jobs blow today with the announcement of up to 120 redundancies at an aluminium plant in the town. Bridgnorth was dealt a major jobs blow today with the announcement of up to 120 redundancies at an aluminium plant in the town. Managers at Novelis in Stourbridge Road said the job losses were necessary to "improve profitability" and keep up with foreign competition. The factory employs 420 members of staff, who were informed of the cuts yesterday. General manager Steve Clarke said: "The proposed restructuring of our Bridgnorth business would help support a profitable, sustainable future for our plant as part of a competitive European supply chain. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
General manager Steve Clarke said: "The proposed restructuring of our Bridgnorth business would help support a profitable, sustainable future for our plant as part of a competitive European supply chain.
"Around 300 of the current 420 jobs here would be maintained under the proposals as presently envisaged. I appreciate the effect that today's announcement will have on employees at Bridgnorth, and we will make every effort to minimise the impact of this on our people."
Under the changes, the capacity of the foil rolling unit will be reduced and the plant will focus on a smaller product range.
The converting and laminating operations will be combined into one overall packaging business with shared support functions.
Company spokesman Joan Chesney said a 90-day consultation process had now started when staff could apply for voluntary redundancy or early retirement.
A statement released by the company today said: "These proposed changes would bring the size of the operation into line with the current and likely future market requirements from the UK and elsewhere.
"By optimising the loading of the plant with a lower overall cost base, Novelis expects that competitiveness and profitability would be improved."
Francois Coeffic, president of the Novelis Europe Foil and Technical Products business unit, added: "A number of customers for both the foil rolling and packaging businesses at Bridgnorth have been moving their activities outside the UK.
"This has made it increasingly difficult for Bridgnorth to supply material that is both competitive and profitable."
Novelis, which produces aluminium foil packaging, was taken over by Indian-based Hindalco Industries in a six billion dollar deal this year.
By Simon Alton
