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| Talks after Sharp announces hundreds of job losses | Talks after Sharp announces hundreds of job losses |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Talks are due between union bosses and electronics giant Sharp after hundreds of job losses were announced. | Talks are due between union bosses and electronics giant Sharp after hundreds of job losses were announced. |
| The factory near Wrexham will cease solar panel production in February. | The factory near Wrexham will cease solar panel production in February. |
| On Monday, Sharp said it was cutting 250 posts and not renewing agency workers' contracts - thought to be around 365. | On Monday, Sharp said it was cutting 250 posts and not renewing agency workers' contracts - thought to be around 365. |
| The company said the decision affecting its Llay factory was "unavoidable" given trading conditions which "left Wrexham's output uncompetitive". | The company said the decision affecting its Llay factory was "unavoidable" given trading conditions which "left Wrexham's output uncompetitive". |
| Sharp said its European solar business was being transformed to ensure "regeneration and long-term growth". | Sharp said its European solar business was being transformed to ensure "regeneration and long-term growth". |
| But Peter Hughes from the Unite union called it "a hell of a blow" before Christmas leaving just 140 workers at the site. | But Peter Hughes from the Unite union called it "a hell of a blow" before Christmas leaving just 140 workers at the site. |
| Mr Hughes said: "Sharp's decision to end solar panel production in the UK is a tragic loss for the workforce and for UK manufacturing. | Mr Hughes said: "Sharp's decision to end solar panel production in the UK is a tragic loss for the workforce and for UK manufacturing. |
| 'Bitter pill' | 'Bitter pill' |
| "Hundreds of skilled jobs which were supposed to be at the cutting edge of the green energy revolution are being lost because of a lack of demand from Europe. | "Hundreds of skilled jobs which were supposed to be at the cutting edge of the green energy revolution are being lost because of a lack of demand from Europe. |
| "The news is a particularly bitter pill for staff to swallow so close to Christmas. | "The news is a particularly bitter pill for staff to swallow so close to Christmas. |
| "Unite begins consultations with the company... and the union will be demanding that the company leaves no stone unturned and offers significant support to this skilled workforce." | "Unite begins consultations with the company... and the union will be demanding that the company leaves no stone unturned and offers significant support to this skilled workforce." |
| Llay ward councillor Terry Boland told BBC Radio Wales he was "extremely sad" for workers and staff when he heard the news. | Llay ward councillor Terry Boland told BBC Radio Wales he was "extremely sad" for workers and staff when he heard the news. |
| "I think it's going to cast a cloud over Wrexham," he said. | "I think it's going to cast a cloud over Wrexham," he said. |
| "The impact will be horrendous, really. At this time of year, it's Christmas and people are celebrating and looking forward to having a good time, they've worked hard all year but unfortunately they're in this situation now." | "The impact will be horrendous, really. At this time of year, it's Christmas and people are celebrating and looking forward to having a good time, they've worked hard all year but unfortunately they're in this situation now." |
| Sharp made the announcement that it would be cutting jobs at the factory on Monday afternoon. | Sharp made the announcement that it would be cutting jobs at the factory on Monday afternoon. |
| Boss of the company Hiroshi Sasaoka said the decision was a difficult one. | Boss of the company Hiroshi Sasaoka said the decision was a difficult one. |
| "It is with sincere regret that we have decided to end solar panel production in Wrexham," he said. | "It is with sincere regret that we have decided to end solar panel production in Wrexham," he said. |
| "Our employees are our greatest asset, and we have been fortunate to have a loyal, hardworking and committed workforce since we began solar production here in 2004. | "Our employees are our greatest asset, and we have been fortunate to have a loyal, hardworking and committed workforce since we began solar production here in 2004. |
| "The Wrexham facility will continue to produce microwave ovens, and we will be investigating additional products for development." | "The Wrexham facility will continue to produce microwave ovens, and we will be investigating additional products for development." |
| The Welsh government has offered its support to those facing redundancy. | The Welsh government has offered its support to those facing redundancy. |
| Sharp opened its factory in Wrexham in 1984 and is one of the town's biggest employers. | Sharp opened its factory in Wrexham in 1984 and is one of the town's biggest employers. |
| In 2004, it began manufacturing solar panels for both residential and commercial installations and two years ago it expanded production following a boom in the industry. | |
| Sharp also created a training facility for solar panel installers. | |
| However, Sharp stopped any further expansion when changes were made to government subsidies paid under the feed-in tariff to householders in late 2011. | |
| The company said there was the possibility the factory may develop other products on the site in the future. |