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Brook Crompton plans to shut Guiseley and axe 400 more jobs

01 January, 2004

Brook Crompton plans to shut Guiseley and axe 400 more jobs

Brook Compton is planning to shut its Guiseley motor factory near Leeds, and to cut the workforce at its two remaining UK sites in Huddersfield and Blackheath, Birmingham. This latest round of cutbacks at the troubled motor-maker could result in up to 400 more jobs being lost, on top of the 450 that went when volume production was moved from Huddersfield to Poland in 2002.

The Guiseley plant employs about 225 people producing large and flameproof motors.

Brook has embarked on a 90-day consultation period with its unions. It says that it needs to cut its operating costs because of the slowdown in UK business, and to allow it to compete in the tough global motors market.

Recently appointed UK managing director Graham Harries says that "worst-case scenario" will involve the transfer of most of Guiseley`s large motor manufacturing activities to other sites already producing similar lines.

"If there are to be redundancies, they will be in stages spread over the coming months," Harries says. "The number could be as high as 400, but we are hoping it will be less."

If the plans go ahead, they will leave the Blackheath plant as Brook`s only remaining UK manufacturing site. It will produce special AC motors and other engineered products, including DC motors and braking systems.

Brook will continue to service the UK market from its Huddersfield site, which will also provide the group with product development and engineering support. At present, about 150 people are employed at Huddersfield.




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