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End of the line for Hoover plant End of the line for Hoover plant
(about 3 hours later)
Union officials carrying a mock coffin will mark the end of 60 years of washing machine production at Merthyr Tydfil's Hoover factory. Workers carrying a mock grave have marked the end of 60 years of washing machine production at Merthyr Tydfil's Hoover factory.
They will lead a procession from the plant in the town on Friday, as the last machines roll off the production line. They led a small procession from the plant on Friday as the last machines came off the production line.
The decision to end manufacturing will see 337 people lose their jobs. The decision to end manufacturing means the loss of 337 jobs. Around 100 staff will remain at the site which retains its headquarter status.
The site will retain its headquarter status and warehousing, employing around 100 staff. There were about 50 people who took part in the march.
But union officials said Friday marked the end of an era for the town of Merthyr. Two brothers Malcolm and Gareth Williams have worked 72 years at the plant between them.
Fighting back tears, the factory's Unite union shop steward, John Jones, said: "I'm getting very emotional - it's going to be a difficult morning for everyone, and I'm absolutely gutted. Malcolm Williams, 57, from Merthyr said: "It was very sombre, we were shaking hands and there were a few hugs.
"We do believe it was inevitable but we do believe the company has gone for profit. They have gone to the low cost countries." Every machine, by the time we put all our costs on to it, is losing us money David Lunt, Hoover vice-president Malcolm and Gareth Williams are both affected by the closure
The Hoover factory has been linked with the town of Merthyr since it began production in 1948. In its heyday, the factory's workforce swelled to more than 5,000 people. "There were one or two tears shed but we knew this was coming for a long time. It wasn't a shock.
It was also the site that manufactured the Sinclair C5 electric buggy, which proved to be a commercial disaster, with production halted just nine months after its launch. "There's a lot of ghosts coming out with us today."
The company, which is owned by the Italian firm Candy, agreed that the decision to end production in Merthyr was based on the cost of production. Gareth Williams, 56, said: "We've got people here who are very motivated, target driven - highly skilled workforce that are on the scrapheap.
Recession "My father-in-law did 40 years here and my mother worked here.
Hoover vice-president, David Lunt said the company had done all it could to cut costs, but it was still losing money on every machine it made. "The workforce should be proud of themselves coming out here with their heads held high."
"Whatever happened, whatever adjustments we made, we just could not make those machines at a price in this country," he insisted. Machine operator John Jones, 57, from Aberdare, said: "Everybody was down really today.
"Labour costs are more in this country compared to others. Even things like fixed costs, the plant equipment, and even the price of the buildings is higher in this country." I'm 58, will i get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment John Jones, Unite
He also argued that what he described as an "awful, awful" decision to stop manufacturing would have been taken regardless of the current recession. "It's upsetting. We've been here years with all the people we know.
"The latest recession has just made things worse, but would not have affected this decision. We would have had to have done this. "I don't think I'll find a job very easily at my age."
The Sinclair C5 proved to be a commercial disaster Another John Jones, the factory convenor for Unite union said: "It's a really sad sad day - one of sheer disappointment.
"Every machine, by the time we put all our costs on to it, is losing us money. "We hope the Welsh assembly and Merthyr council will get together and bring jobs back to the valleys.
"This site had become efficient - it just hadn't become cost efficient." "If that doesn't happen the impact will last four, five years.
"I'm 58, will i get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment."
The assembly government said its priority now was to support those who were losing their jobs.The assembly government said its priority now was to support those who were losing their jobs.
It said a team of specialists, including representatives from Merthyr council and Hoover, had already started a study on how the factory site could be used.It said a team of specialists, including representatives from Merthyr council and Hoover, had already started a study on how the factory site could be used.
"I understand fully the disappointment that very many people in Merthyr feel today," said the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones."I understand fully the disappointment that very many people in Merthyr feel today," said the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones.
"But the end of manufacturing means that a site of some 30 acres is now available for redevelopment."But the end of manufacturing means that a site of some 30 acres is now available for redevelopment.
"Our task now is to look to the future - and make good the loss of jobs and the impact of the closure on the community.""Our task now is to look to the future - and make good the loss of jobs and the impact of the closure on the community."