Cosmetics firm will shut Thornaby plant
A STRUGGLING cosmetics packaging factory which employs 160 people on Teesside has confirmed it is to close.
RPC beauté based at Dukesway, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby, announced in July it was reviewing the future of the site after it plunged into the red.
The firm said it had failed to make a sustained profit despite continued investment into the plant since it was bought in 1999 and that it had experienced a declining local market.
It added a consultation period with unions has also failed to produce any viable options for the Teesside site.
Plant manager Michael Stegeman said: “The Thornaby operation has been in decline for many years and, despite efforts, it has not been possible to bring the site into sustainable profit nor achieve a level of performance that would justify further investment in a rapidly declining local market.
“A number of ideas were raised during the consultation period, however, none has been identified that would enable Thornaby to make a sustainable profit.
“Over the coming weeks a planned closedown of the site will occur.”
A spokesman for RPC beauté added that the firm was making all employees aware of available vacancies elsewhere within the RPC Group.
The management is also working with local employment agencies to provide details of any other employment options.
Regional development agency One NorthEast said RPC Beauté had declined the offer of support given to it during its recent troubled times.
Ian Williams, director of business and industry at the agency, said: “We offered to support RPC Beauté with an SFI grant, fully recognising the importance of the business to the local area, but the company decided not to take this offer up.
“One NorthEast has been working closely with Tees Valley Regeneration, Stockton Council, Business Link North-East and Jobcentre Plus to find the 160 staff at the factory alternative work, and we will continue to do so.”
