The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
West Midlands; West Midlands; Walsall and Wolverhampton
Location of affected unit(s)
Bushbury
Sector
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Basic Metal And Fabricated Metal Products Manufacture Of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery And Equipment 25 - Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment
106 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
2 February 2007
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 December 2007
Description
Bathroom and kitchen manufacturer Ideal Standard is to close its plant in Bushbury, Wolverhampton, with the loss of 106 jobs. Owners American Standard said jobs would be transferred to larger factories it described as better suited for efficient assembly. The factory is to close by the end of the year, but some jobs may be moved to the Armitage Shanks factory in Rugeley, Staffordshire, which is also part of the group.
Unions are discussing the plans with management. Gilliane Palmer, spokeswoman for American Standard, said the job cuts, part of 250 across Europe, were down to rising raw material costs, increased competition and the need for the business to remain competitive.
She said: “The loss of these jobs is a difficult choice to make, and we will do all we can to ease the transition for everyone involved. We don't make these kinds of plans easily, particularly when the livelihoods of our people are affected.”
The 30 jobs will be added in Rugeley bringing the total number of employees in the UK to more than 2,000.
Sources
2 February 2007: Express & Star
2 February 2007: BBC News
Citation
Eurofound (2007), Ideal Standard, Relocation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 64900, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/64900.
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