First victims are approximately 130 employees of the Tallington site in Lincolnshire, who were laid off on Friday. A further 70 or so have been kept on only until existing orders are fulfilled and then the plant will close. This is expected to be before the end of the year.
Tallington is one of Europe’s largest precast manufacturing sites and had seen a significant amount invested in recent years in state-of-the-art production equipment.
Its closure is part of a rationalisation announced in December. Plants in Lound, Henlade (Somerset) and Derby are also being closed.
Tarmac Building Products chief executive Blair Illingworth said: “Following our announcement in December last year we have made the tough decision to close most of our precast concrete and precast flooring operations.
“Regrettably, this means that Tallington will close to new business from 15 April 2011 with the loss of 209 jobs.
“We have explored every option for keeping Tallington open but market conditions and reduced demand for its particular products mean that it’s not economically viable.
“We’ve gone through a thorough consultation process and will continue to do all we can to provide people with support and guidance in finding jobs elsewhere.”
Tarmac is keeping its TermoDeck, SafetyDeck and Dolyhir Fast Floor businesses open.
It is also understood Tarmac had been in last ditch talks with Network Rail over a contract to make railway sleepers in order to safeguard jobs, but those broke down.
GMB regional organiser Dave Shamma, who had been in talks with Tarmac on behalf of members, told Peterborough Today: “It is a sad, sad day. Unfortunately this announcement was merely a formality. We realised as soon as we entered talks with the firm that it was very unlikely to have been saved. We think the company should never have been allowed to let it get as bad as it did but that is all water under the bridge. Nothing can be done about it now.”
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
