Vald Birn

157 jobs
Number of planned job losses

Announcement Date

27 April 2006

Employment effect (start)

Foreseen end date

Description

An iron foundry is closing its doors for the final time after nearly 30 years with the loss of 157 jobs. Bosses at Danish-owned Vald Birn, in Cambois, Northumberland, blamed the closure on a decline in orders and a doubling of electricity costs. The plant, which opened in 1977, made products for the car and rail industries including compressors. The company stressed it has not gone into administration and all suppliers and employees are being paid off.

Managing director Mel Speirs said employees were told in December that a number of options were being considered including selling the plant as a going concern, but that had not been possible. He said the cost of the plant's electricity had doubled over the past 18 months from £1.2m to £2.4m. He also said everything was being done to help employees find new jobs.