Caparo UK Factory Closure Announcement Puts Wrexham Jobs At Risk

Jobs at a Wrexham wire company were today placed under threat as Caparo UK revealed plans to close a factory on the industrial estate.

After a ‘strategic review’ of the company’s sites in the UK, Caparo have announced plans to close a site in the town.

In total there are 120 employed at the two Caparo UK sites on the industrial estate, and it is believed a ‘significant number’ of jobs will be retained. A 30 day consultation will being today with government development agencies, local employees and employees representatives.

A statement released by Caparo UK says: “Included within the Strategic Review it has been resolved that Caparo will continue to participate actively in the Premium Wire market. It is proposed that this will be best served by consolidating the company Wire production facilities into one site currently known as Factory 1.

“This will allow the company to focus and invest in the Premium Wire markets and position the business on a solid footing now and in the future. It is further proposed that the facility currently known as Factory 2 will be reserved for the expansion of the UK Group’s Steel Distribution and Testing Technologies businesses. This may offer new employment prospects in the short to medium term.

The announcement comes as blow to the area, with Sharps and Kellog’s announcing plans to cut staff, while the closure of First Milk in December saw 230 staff lose their jobs.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales said: “The 30-day notice to the 120-strong workforce is an obvious concern as we’ve seen more than 1,000 jobs go in the Wrexham area over the past couple of months.

“From speaking to management at Caparo today, the intention is to consolidate its wire business on one site and perhaps bring in additional testing and distribution work sometime in the future at the other factory. This would involve retraining as it involves different skills.”