Derby factory facing closure with over 450 jobs at risk

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Celanese factory in Derby is proposing the closure of its Spondon plant with more than 450 factory workers to lose their jobs.

The firm says this is purely an economic decision resulting from the factory's high operating costs.

Celanese makes acetate products used in filtering, film and other industrial applications.

A consultation period involving the 460 employees and their representatives has begun, and the plan is to keep the plant open until late 2011.

Bob Walters from Celanese said: "Despite the best efforts of many dedicated employees and Celanese investments, the operating costs at Spondon remain the highest in Celanese Acetate.

"Moreover, shifts in geographic demand, anticipated industry consumption patterns, and the site's high costs lead us to propose the cessation of manufacturing at Spondon.

"All affected employees will be treated fairly and respectfully throughout this process."

The workers say closure totally out of the blue, for Glenn and Chris Dono, the Celanese news has come as a double blow.

Glenn, 48, has been employed at the Spondon plant for 26 years and now works in a manufacturing team. Chris, 25, Glenn's son has been there for two years.

Two workers who left the site yesterday lunchtime expressed their shock at the announcement, which was given to workers in the morning.

The locals say, if it closes it will be the end of an era for manufacturing in Derby. Another Spondon villager, Derek Fletcher, 78, said he hoped the plant and jobs could be saved.

He said: "All of the manufacturing jobs seem to be going abroad. It's terrible." Also former workers, who were at Spondon Conservative Club, expressed their shock.