This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-24541008
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| First Milk's Maelor plant may close with loss of 231 jobs | First Milk's Maelor plant may close with loss of 231 jobs |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A dairy company has announced plans to close a Wrexham creamery with the possible loss of 231 jobs. | A dairy company has announced plans to close a Wrexham creamery with the possible loss of 231 jobs. |
| First Milk has told staff its cheese-packing plant in Maelor could close by the end of May 2014. | First Milk has told staff its cheese-packing plant in Maelor could close by the end of May 2014. |
| The firm has lost a "significant" contract with Asda and said it had informed trade unions. It will begin a staff consultation soon. | |
| Welsh Secretary David Jones said it was a "sobering reminder of the challenges the Welsh economy still faces". | Welsh Secretary David Jones said it was a "sobering reminder of the challenges the Welsh economy still faces". |
| "The news that there may be a significant number of job losses at the First Milk site in Wrexham will cause a great deal of concern to the workers, families and communities affected," he said. | "The news that there may be a significant number of job losses at the First Milk site in Wrexham will cause a great deal of concern to the workers, families and communities affected," he said. |
| "The Wales Office is in close communication with the company and we are committed to working with the Welsh government to offer all the support we can at this difficult time." | "The Wales Office is in close communication with the company and we are committed to working with the Welsh government to offer all the support we can at this difficult time." |
| In a statement, First Milk - a co-operative owned by farmers across the UK - said it was "no longer economically viable for the business to keep the site at Maelor operational". | |
| A spokesman added: "We very much regret the need to make the proposal to close our Maelor operation. | |
| "We have a hard-working, loyal and committed workforce there and we are aware of the impact that this news will have on them. | |
| "We will of course seek to provide those potentially affected with every support and address ways in which the impact of the proposals can be reduced." | |
| The spokesman added: "As a farmer-owned co-operative, the reason we're here is to deliver sustainable returns to our members and this announcement today supports that objective." | |
| 'Excellent service' | |
| Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: "This announcement will devastate First Milk's loyal and hard-working employees and is a major blow for the local area. | |
| "I am disappointed to see Asda end their contract with the company after the excellent service they have been shown by the workers over the years." | |
| In a statement, Asda said: "Unfortunately as part of a long-term strategic review, we have decided that from April 2014 we will be switching the supply of some of our cheese from First Milk to Arla. | |
| "We appreciate how disappointing this news will be for them but we want to reassure everyone that this decision was not taken lightly." | |
| Councillor John Pritchard, who represents Marchwiel on Wrexham council, said he was "really shocked" by the news. | |
| "I've only just been told about it... it's come completely out of the blue," he said. "We hadn't been expecting this. | |
| 'Sad day' | |
| "I'm worried that with unemployment in the area as it stands, if this closure goes ahead it will have a significant effect on Marchwiel and the surrounding area." | |
| Wrexham council leader Neil Rogers said it was a "sad day for Wrexham". | |
| He added: "Our thoughts are with those employees who are to be made redundant and their families. | |
| "It is important that Wrexham does everything it can to develop its economy by attracting new businesses into the county borough." | |
| Aled Roberts, North Wales AM, said the potential job losses would be "devastating for the economy of north east Wales". | |
| Last year, First Milk announced £13.5m redevelopment plans which it said would safeguard 220 jobs. | |
| The firm said it needed to invest in new production facilities at the Maelor creamery to remain competitive. | |
| Wrexham councillors approved plans for the company to build a new cheese-cutting and packing centre, including offices. |