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Job loss fears at car parts plant 560 jobs threatened at two plants
(10 minutes later)
A factory which makes components for motor manufacturers is consulting on making all 124 staff redundant, blaming the economic downturn. More than 560 jobs will go after a car parts manufacturer and an aluminium sheet metal mill said they had been hit by the economic downturn.
Musashi Auto Parts expects to close its factory at Blackwood, Caerphilly county, by the end of the year. Novelis said its aluminium sheet mill in Rogerstone, Newport, will close by the end of April with 440 job losses.
The plant produces camshafts, wheel hubs and steering products for firms including Honda and Ford. Musashi Auto Parts said its factory at Blackwood, Caerphilly county, will close with 124 job losses.
Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical firm says it will create 133 jobs in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent over the next five years.Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical firm says it will create 133 jobs in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent over the next five years.
Japanese-owed Musashi said its Wales manufacturing site has been hit by the slump in orders. Aluminium giant Novelis said a viable plan for keeping open its Wales site had not emerged despite a 90-day consultation with unions.
General manager Oliver Picht said the "goalposts have continued to move" as the workforce "prepared to take far-reaching steps" to adapt to a "significant decline in orders".
He said: "The order book is still dropping and the proposed measures can't address that sufficiently."
The firm employs around 12,500 people in 11 countries.
In Blackwood, Japanese-owed Musashi said its Wales manufacturing site has been hit by the slump in orders.
Site managing director Graham Hill said the firm had begun a 90-day consultation process with unions over the redundancies.Site managing director Graham Hill said the firm had begun a 90-day consultation process with unions over the redundancies.
He said: "We're obviously all very disappointed.He said: "We're obviously all very disappointed.
"We've worked very hard over the years but unfortunately this recession is having an impact on us as on many other people." BBC News is tracking where jobs have been created and lost around the UK BBC UK jobs tracker"We've worked very hard over the years but unfortunately this recession is having an impact on us as on many other people." BBC News is tracking where jobs have been created and lost around the UK BBC UK jobs tracker
The Musashi plant on Hawtin Industrial Park, Pontllanfraith, opened in July 1993.The Musashi plant on Hawtin Industrial Park, Pontllanfraith, opened in July 1993.
The GMB union said it was in talks with the firm to try to negotiate redundancy packages for staff.The GMB union said it was in talks with the firm to try to negotiate redundancy packages for staff.
Official Gareth Morgan said the union was also in talks with the Welsh Assembly Government over possible alternative employment options.Official Gareth Morgan said the union was also in talks with the Welsh Assembly Government over possible alternative employment options.
Meanwhile, Penn Pharmaceutical Group, which employs nearly 250 people at Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, Tredegar, said it was launching a £12m expansion programme. However, Penn Pharmaceutical Group, which employs nearly 250 people at Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, Tredegar, said it was launching a £12m expansion programme.
It said the work would create 133 jobs and safeguard the future of a further 100.It said the work would create 133 jobs and safeguard the future of a further 100.
'Skilled jobs''Skilled jobs'
Backed by the Welsh Assembly Government's Single Investment Fund, Penn plans to extend its current facilities where the company currently employs nearly 250 people.Backed by the Welsh Assembly Government's Single Investment Fund, Penn plans to extend its current facilities where the company currently employs nearly 250 people.
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Penn Pharmaceuticals' latest investment demonstrates that - despite the general economic downturn - some key companies in vital sectors are confidently investing in the future and are creating precisely the kind of skilled jobs that the Welsh economy needs."Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Penn Pharmaceuticals' latest investment demonstrates that - despite the general economic downturn - some key companies in vital sectors are confidently investing in the future and are creating precisely the kind of skilled jobs that the Welsh economy needs."