Kbb News

Posted: 15/07/2010

Twyford to close factory

Twyford Bathrooms has confirmed it is closing its Alsager factory.

Following an announcement earlier this year in which Twyford Bathrooms announced that with regret it would commence consultations with affected employees about considering the closure of the Alsager factory, it has been announced that after extensive consultation with trade unions and elected representatives, the factory is to close by the end of 2011.

During the consultation a number of possible alternatives to closure have been suggested which have been considered in full. However a combination of factors, including that UK manufacturing was not considered to be a critical business success factor for the brand; the difficulty in reducing costs by increased production at Alsager, and spare capacity within the Sanitec network weighed against keeping the factory open.

According to Twyford's, the unions and non union representatives have accepted that there are no viable alternative options to retain manufacturing in Alsager and as a result subsequent consultations will focus on arrangements for the closure of the factory.

Announcing the decision Mike Conlon, Senior Vice President, Twyford Bathrooms said "The decision to commence consultations was not a decision we came to lightly but the current global economic downturn and the unprecedented economic times not only in the UK but across Europe which the bathroom industry is facing means that we felt we had no other option open to us. The bathroom market has become increasingly challenging and it is not possible for Twyford Bathrooms to continue production in the UK"

He added: "I fully realise and appreciate the significance of this decision and I will ensure that open communication and consultation will continue with representatives of those affected.

"Twyford Bathrooms understands that there will be a significant amount of disappointment regarding this decision and we will ensure that as we go through this difficult process, we will provide as much support to those affected as we possibly can."

See also: Country of origin.