An announcement that 250 jobs could go at the Bosch factory in south Wales has been described as a “devastating blow” for the area.
The company has blamed a 30% drop in orders for the alternator plant at Miskin near Llantrisant, south Wales.
It takes the number of job cuts threatened in Wales this week to more than 750, including 337 jobs at the Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil.
The assembly government said it will hold talks with Bosch managers.
The company broke the news to the 1,200 strong workforce in Miskin on Wednesday, telling them that it was now entering a 90-day consultation period on the plans.
It also confirmed an earlier decision to reduce agency workers at the site by up to 300 posts.
“We were hoping that 2009 would see a return in stability, but unfortunately our customer order reductions continue,” the company said in a statement.
“As a result we will not have sufficient work to retain our entire existing Bosch workforce in full-time employment.
“It is with great regret that we have had to make this decision and we will continue to keep all employees fully informed during this difficult process.”
‘Difficult news’
A number of workers who contacted BBC Wales anonymously described morale at the factory as “low”.
“There are very little plans for Bosch Cardiff beyond 2011 – we believe the factory is now slowly being wound down,” remarked one person who said they had just been informed of the decision.
Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks said it was “very difficult news” for the workforce and their families, and a devastating blow for the local community and economy.
“This area has already suffered significantly with the 200 job losses announced at L’Oreal last month.
“I will now be writing to the management at the Bosch plant and looking to meet with them at the soonest opportunity.”
An assembly government spokesperson said every means possible would be explored to support the company.
“The Welsh Assembly Government will do everything it can to save jobs and help Welsh manufacturing companies weather a world wide downturn,” added the spokesperson.
On Tuesday Hoover announced it is considering halting production at Merthyr, with the loss of 337 jobs.
In the Vale of Glamorgan, 90 posts are going when a care home closes, while 50 staff at a car parts plant in Tonyrefail in Rhondda Cynon Taff are also at risk
Twenty jobs have also been cut at a drug factory in Ceredigion, and in north Wales 20 jobs will go in Llangefni and Denbigh at a farm machinery firm.
The steelmaker Corus has also announced it intends extending the Christmas shutdown at Llanwern near Newport.
However, the firm said no posts were under threat with workers being given other duties at the plant.
But the company did confirm that it is imposing an overtime ban, with parts of the site being due to close in the next few weeks, possibly staying shut until early March.