Rigid packaging manufacturer Ardagh Group has announced that it is entering a period of consultation with the workforce at its Merthyr Tydfil plant in Wales over a proposal to close the plant as part of a strategic review of its UK manufacturing operations.
The company says the proposals reflect a need to move from three UK metal manufacturing sites to two, in order to increase the competitiveness of the group’s operations in a difficult economic climate.
The proposals, which include the relocation of aerosol manufacturing (Merthyr Tydfil’s main operation) to the group’s Sutton in Ashfield (East Midlands) plant and the relocation of printing to the group’s Norwich site, would involve “strategic investment” in the two remaining facilities.
An Ardagh company spokesperson said: “The company will do everything we can to support our employees at this difficult time and in the event that job losses do occur, we will review new employment opportunities at our other manufacturing locations.”
The proposals, which affect 146 employees at the Merthyr Tydfil site, will be reviewed in detail during the consultation process.
