Trelleborg to close UK profiles division

By Tim Tunbridge

Minworth, UK - Trelleborg Industrial Profiles is to stop production at its West Midlands, UK, plant by the end of 2008 with the loss of 55 jobs.

The facility at Birmingham, Minworth, will become the sales and logistics centre to support the Trelleborg flexible profiles business in the UK and Irish markets. However, up to 55 jobs will be axed from the workforce of 70.

The six extrusion lines at Minworth will be transferred to Trelleborg sites in Germany, Sweden and, possibly, Poland.

The rationalisation at Minworth follows the closure last year of Trelleborg's complementary activity in Telford, formerly known as DJ Profiles.

Minworth plant manager Bruce Grant told PRW.com that the consolidation of the profiles business will give it a better cost structure to suit the demands of UK industry.

There was already, he said, regular movement of extruded products between the company's manufacturing operations in Europe.

The main markets served with Trelleborg flexible profiles are construction, automotive and general industry. Products are manufactured from a wide range of rubbers, including thermoplastic elastomers.

According to Grant, the flexible profiles business at Minworth has sales of £9.5m (€12m). Discussions with the Minworth staff over the decision to cease manufacture are underway. The workforce is not represented by a trade union.

From PRW.com (A Crain publication)