KEETCH TO VISIT TRELLEBORG FACTORY

10.19.00am GMT Mon 16th Feb 2004

Local Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch will visit the Trelleborg factory in Ross this Wednesday morning to meet management and local staff again. The factory, which has been threatened with closure, currently employs some 150 workers and 70 or so out-workers. The MP has met staff twice in the past fortnight, and met senior managers of the firm last Friday.

"The company told me that no final decision to close the plant has been taken," Mr Keetch said. "But that Trelleborg are reviewing a number of their UK operations. One site in Wales will definitely close and relocation to their head office site at Tewkesbury seems likely for other plants.

"In the case of Ross the management told me that most production is likely to move to Mexico, but some specialist work could go to Tewkesbury. It may be that some staff could be offered jobs there too. However, the management insist that no final decision has been taken, and that the site is not currently up for sale.

"If the site does close then it is imperative that there is the best possible support package in place for all those who lose their jobs and for the wider community. We also need to look at alternative uses for the site.

"I know that consultation between the company and the workforce is ongoing, but I would like to pass the various assurances that I received from the management on to the staff. I have to say however that I am not optimistic about the plant staying open under its present ownership."