Action plan call for Hoover staff

The Hoover factory will cease production on 14 March

Calls have been made for a "serious plan of action" to support the 337 people affected by Hoover's decision to close its factory in Merthyr Tydfil.

Assembly Member for the area, Huw Lewis, made the calls after confirmation was made that the plant would cease production on 14 March.

The firm hopes to keep its headquarters and warehousing facility at the site, with around 113 workers remaining.

About 1,200 jobs have gone at four large employers in Wales this week.

As well as the 337 jobs at Hoover, around 300 were lost at the Indesit plant in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire last week.

A further 440 job losses were announced at Novellis, an aluminium sheet mill in Rogerstone, Newport.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved... the parent company were not for turning

Huw Lewis, AM

And 120 workers will lose their jobs at car parts manufacturer Masushi in Blackwood, Caerphilly.

Hoover said a 90-day consultation period had now ended and it will cease production there on 14 March.

It had concluded it could no longer produce competitively priced laundry products in Wales.

Hoover, which began production in the town 60 years ago, announced its intentions last November.

The Italian-owned company said during the consultation, extensive discussions and detailed analysis, including business and financial presentations, took place with all the worker representatives.

"Unfortunately there was no escaping the conclusion that our Merthyr Tydfil manufacturing facility could not produce competitively priced laundry products," the company added in its statement.

'Serious plan'

Following the announcement, Mr Lewis said: "This is terrible but not unexpected news.

"Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, not least the workforce at the plant, the parent company were not for turning.

"It is now the duty of the assembly government and other partners to support all those affected workers and also to create a serious plan of action for that site," he said.

David Lunt, vice-president of human resources at Hoover Lunt has indicated that the factory, in some form, would remain in the town.

"Progress is being made in our discussions with both the Welsh Assembly Government and Merthyr Tydfil Council, regarding the continued presence of Hoover in Merthyr Tydfil," he said