305 jobs are set to go with the closure of the Indesit washing machine factory in Denbighshire that has historically produced Hotpoint washing machines we’ve learned this afternoon.
In a statement, the company has blamed the “continuing decline” in the market for the plan to close the factory at Kinmel Park in Bodelwyddan. Indesit said closing the plant was the only “feasible” option for the company to remain competitive in the UK.
Unite the Union said it had offered Indesit alternatives to closure, but the company had rejected them.
Alwyn Rowlands, of Unite, said the announcement had come as no surprise and added: “They have been mulling this one over for the last three or four months, and today they have announced that the factory will close as of 31 July.
“We will begin consultation with the company because as far as we’re concerned we have put alternative proposals in front of them which would have safeguarded jobs at Bodelwyddan.
“But clearly, they wanted to close it irrespective of anything. “We will continue to put forward those alternative proposals but if closure is inevitable, then we will do everything we can to help those affected.”
Mr Rowlands said Bodelwyddan’s position had not been helped by the fact Indesit recently opened a factory in Poland.
He went on to say: “Are they closing Bodelwyddan because of the UK market, or because they need to provide numbers for Poland?”
Carlos Ramos, UK manufacturing director for Indesit said: “We are extremely proud of what is a very skilled and committed workforce at Kinmel Park, and it is with much regret that we have had to make this proposal.
“Despite our efforts over the last seven years, investing over £30m and aligning production capacity to match market demand, the continuing decline in the market for Kinmel Park’s products leads us to believe that the situation is unsustainable.
“Due to this the company is now proposing to close the factory.”
The company, which also makes the Hotpoint brand, blamed a drop in demand for washing machines and increased manufacturing costs.
Indesit employs about 2,000 people – including 305 at Bodelwyddan – and claims to be the UK’s largest “white goods” company by market share.
Indesit said the announcement followed discussions with trade union representatives and that it would continue with a formal consultation with unions and employees to “mitigate the effects of this proposal”.
