Aircraft component factory axes more jobs
Sep 2 2009 By The Journal
A FURTHER 58 jobs are being axed at a Durham aircraft component company.
It follows earlier cuts of 100 jobs at Consett-based CAV Aerospace as a result of falling global demand for new planes.
The company says its is facing "significantly reduced volumes as well as pressure to further reduce prices in a highly competitive market".
The GMB union which represents staff says it is a major blow following 60 job cuts in May and 40 last November.
Chief executive Owen McFarlane said: "In common with many other businesses in all sectors we have to manage our way through the current worldwide economic difficulties.
"These are unprecedented times and despite managing the situation by reducing working hours, altering shift patterns, closing the Manchester facility and managing costs effectively we have still, very regrettably, been forced to make these redundancies.
"Our sole aim is to protect the long-term viability of the business and safeguard the maximum possible number of jobs. Thankfully, we are retaining the loyal customer base we have built up over the years but, inevitably, CAV is affected by their downturn and drive for reductions in costs.
"Any actions we take are being forced on us by changing customer demand and the fluctuating market. We have done, and will continue to do, everything we possibly can to safeguard the hundreds of jobs that have been created in Consett and our other centres in the UK, Europe and the USA," he added.
Stephen Thompkins of the GMB union said: "This is another major blow for the workers who have not recovered from the last round of redundancies."
CAV Aerospace, which was started in 1990 with a workforce of 10 now employs 600 people worldwide with 330 based at Consett.
The company is a UK Centre of Excellence for the manufacture of wing components.
Last month the company lost a battle with 80 staff concerning overtime payments following arbitration by ACAS.
