Type
Offshoring/Delocalisation
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland; Eastern Scotland; Falkirk
Location of affected unit(s)
Falkirk
Sector
Manufacturing
Manufacture Of Rubber And Plastic Products And Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products
Manufacture Of Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products
23.41 - Manufacture of ceramic household and ornamental articles
New offshoring locations
Slovakia

211 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
18 April 2016
Employment effect (start)
1 December 2016
Foreseen end date
31 December 2017

Description

Historic designer and manufacturer of sinks for kitchens and bathrooms, has announced that it will close its plant in Falkirk, Scotland and transfer production to a new plant in Slovakia. The company is now owned by the Swiss group Franke, but was originally founded as an iron foundry in 1759. Grahame Smith, the general secretary of the Scottish Trade Union Congress, described the news as 'a devastating blow'. Reports differ as to the expected timeline of the relocation. However, operations director Bart Doornkamp has stated that the company still must conclude negotiations with trade unions, to assist in the orderly phased closure of the plant which will be completed by December 2017.


Sources

  • 18 April 2016: Herald Scotland
  • 18 April 2016: BBC

Citation

Eurofound (2016), Carron Phoenix, Offshoring/Delocalisation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 88345, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88345.