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Wavin plastics in Chippenham has made many people redundant

Two of Chippenham's most prominent employers have announced job cuts.

Both Wavin and Avon Automatives are shedding workers as the credit crunch continues to bite.

Managers of plastics company Wavin told staff yesterday that 44 people out of the total workforce of around 550 will lose their jobs at the factory on Parsonage Way.

A member of staff, who wished to remain nameless, said: "There have been rumours for some time that a number of jobs were going to be cut.

"We have been told that the redundancies are due to the current climate and that there is nothing the management can do.

"It is a shame and everyone is angry as they are worried they won't be able to get jobs elsewhere."

The 44 jobs for the chop are spread between the manufacturing, production and admin departments of the firm.

A spokesman for Wavin said: "These are challenging times for everyone at the moment and Wavin is no exception.

"There has been a general downturn in the market and we need to become stronger and more competitive to face the conditions."

When asked about the possibility of further redundancies, the spokesman said: "I cannot comment as that would be crystal ball gazing."

A round of redundancies is also being made at the Chippenham factory of Avon Automotives, where 230 people are employed.

A spokesman refused to say how many jobs are going at the factory, but an insider said it was approximately 20.

The move has sparked rumours that the company is considering moving production abroad.

Although managers have denied the move, the whispers have spread throughout Bumpers Farm, where the multi-national company manufactures its vibration management systems.

In 2002 the company closed its plant in Trowbridge and transferred the production there to Portugal with the loss of 270 jobs.

One employee, who wished to remain nameless, said: "There has been restructuring going on here for ages and people are unsure about the future."

Factory manager Mike Franklin confirmed there had recently been redundancies but said he was unaware of any plans to ship the factory overseas.

10:45am Thursday 9th October 2008

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