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Worker dies on factory's last day | Worker dies on factory's last day |
(20 minutes later) | |
Employees working the last day at a washing machine factory have left early after the death of a colleague during the final shift at the plant. | Employees working the last day at a washing machine factory have left early after the death of a colleague during the final shift at the plant. |
Some staff at Indesit in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, said the death was the "last straw" for the 302-strong workforce, who are now redundant. | Some staff at Indesit in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, said the death was the "last straw" for the 302-strong workforce, who are now redundant. |
Management at the plant allowed them to leave early after the man, 44, died. | Management at the plant allowed them to leave early after the man, 44, died. |
He was said to have worked there for 20 years and collapsed at around 0900 BST before being taken to hospital. | He was said to have worked there for 20 years and collapsed at around 0900 BST before being taken to hospital. |
He died at Glan Clwyd Hospital. | He died at Glan Clwyd Hospital. |
Jason Dwan, manufacturing site director at Indesit, said: "First aiders were on scene immediately with our employee and a local ambulance arrived within 10 minutes of the call. | Jason Dwan, manufacturing site director at Indesit, said: "First aiders were on scene immediately with our employee and a local ambulance arrived within 10 minutes of the call. |
We have to find ways of keeping these skills so they aren't lost from the area Ann Jones AM | |
"Our HR manager was with the family straight away as he was accompanied to the local hospital, Glan Clwyd. | "Our HR manager was with the family straight away as he was accompanied to the local hospital, Glan Clwyd. |
"At 0920 it was unfortunately confirmed that our employee had sadly passed away. | "At 0920 it was unfortunately confirmed that our employee had sadly passed away. |
"His family have been informed. | "His family have been informed. |
"Immediately all work stopped at the factory, and our employees have now left the site as a mark of respect to his family." | "Immediately all work stopped at the factory, and our employees have now left the site as a mark of respect to his family." |
Mr Dwan said it was a "tragedy" for the factory and extended his sympathies to the man's family on behalf of the company. | Mr Dwan said it was a "tragedy" for the factory and extended his sympathies to the man's family on behalf of the company. |
Indesit has been a major employer at Bodelwyddan since 1954, but production is moving abroad. | Indesit has been a major employer at Bodelwyddan since 1954, but production is moving abroad. |
Switching production | |
The company also makes the Hotpoint brand, and has blamed increased production costs and falling demand. | The company also makes the Hotpoint brand, and has blamed increased production costs and falling demand. |
It said a number of options for the site were considered but all parties agreed they were not viable. | It said a number of options for the site were considered but all parties agreed they were not viable. |
The loss of the jobs has been described as a "very sad day" for the area by those who campaigned to keep it open. | The loss of the jobs has been described as a "very sad day" for the area by those who campaigned to keep it open. |
Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said: "These are highly skilled manufacturing jobs and, somehow, we have to find ways of keeping these skills so they are not lost from the area." | Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones said: "These are highly skilled manufacturing jobs and, somehow, we have to find ways of keeping these skills so they are not lost from the area." |
The union expects production to be switched to Poland. | The union expects production to be switched to Poland. |
There has been a washing machine factory in the Bodelwyddan area since the early 1980s and it was taken over by Indesit in 2002. | There has been a washing machine factory in the Bodelwyddan area since the early 1980s and it was taken over by Indesit in 2002. |
It has made predominantly Hotpoint machines and as recently as 2004 employed 750 workers at the Kinmel Park site. | It has made predominantly Hotpoint machines and as recently as 2004 employed 750 workers at the Kinmel Park site. |
Indesit has two other bases in the UK, in Somerset and Peterborough, and claims to be the largest white goods company in the country. | Indesit has two other bases in the UK, in Somerset and Peterborough, and claims to be the largest white goods company in the country. |
Carlos Ramos, Indesit's UK Manufacturing Director said: "The work force at Kinmel Park has remained very loyal to the company and has a very positive attitude to work. | Carlos Ramos, Indesit's UK Manufacturing Director said: "The work force at Kinmel Park has remained very loyal to the company and has a very positive attitude to work. |
"This, combined with the wide range of skills and experience they have acquired means they have a lot to offer potential new employers." | "This, combined with the wide range of skills and experience they have acquired means they have a lot to offer potential new employers." |