Excavator jobs at risk

Sep 19 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

EXCAVATOR equipment manufacturer Miller UK has begun consultation with its staff about possible redundancies, as the downturn in the construction market hits orders.

The Northumberland company has shed up to 50 jobs in the past few months through non-replacement of staff, and is now considering further job losses amongst a range of cost cutting measures.

Keith Miller, head of parent company Miller International, said trading had been difficult for some time and action had to be taken.

The 230 staff have had a briefing and Mr Miller said the company was considering short time working, temporary closure of the company’s two Cramlington factories or redundancies as ways of cutting costs.

He said: “We will be having to make cutbacks. Our prime objective is to stay in business – to remain profitable and look after the team.”

Mr Miller said the company’s original forecast of generating sales of £49m this year would not be met, and he expected the total to be in the region of last year’s £40.7m. However, Miller did not have heavy borrowings and he was confident sales would pick up eventually, especially from emerging markets in India, China and Russia.