Hutchinson to close auto profiles plant in UK

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Telford, UK -- Hutchinson SA has announced the closure of its automotive profiles factory in Telford, UK, with the loss of 130 jobs.

In a statement, the company said, "In light of current and anticipated continued future adverse trading conditions, exacerbated by significant raw material and energy price increases, the Hutchinson Group, having explored all options to maintain the Telford site, has very reluctantly decided to close the site and transfer production to other European sites. "

Managing director Rob Fairclough said the work would go to other Hutchinson facilities in Poland and France. He added that the machinery from the Telford site would also be transferred to other Hutchinson factories

The factory employed over 400 a few years ago, although, according to Fairclough the productivity at the Telford site was very good, and the company was introducing new products as recently as last year. Fairclough said that a year ago the company looked at the future of the Telford unit and the attitude then was to try to "tough it out" Unfortunately, since that time, continued price increases in energy and raw materials and over-capacity in the industry have made the factory uneconomic to run. Fairclough said the closure had nothing to do with events at Rover.

The factory, acquired from Russells Rubber in 1992, is due to close in January. Hutchinson said "a small techno-commercial team will continue to operate in the UK to ensure continued excellent customer service."