Type
Closure
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Norfolk and other UK-based units
Sector
Manufacturing
Manufacture Of Rubber And Plastic Products And Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products
Manufacture Of Rubber And Plastic Products
22 - Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

400 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
7 January 2008
Employment effect (start)
7 January 2008
Foreseen end date
7 January 2008

Description

Bowater Home Improvements, a Norfolk-based plastic windows and doors factory was taken over and closed down with the loss of 400 jobs. Administrators acting on behalf of the company sold the Zenith and Staybrite windows brands to Weatherseal Group Ltd. Bowater's head office and factory in Norwich, 30 sales offices and six installation centres will close immediately.

Reports suggest that the firm going into administration and the subsequent closures are due to tough competition and a fall in orders. Prior to the closures staff had been working four day weeks and were aware of the companies difficulties. However some workers were shocked by the announcement of the closure as the fact that it was a possibility had not been communicated to them.


Sources

  • 7 January 2008: BBC Website

Citation

Eurofound (2008), Bowater Home Improvements, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 66187, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/66187.