MORE than 100 jobs are to go in West Dunbartonshire with the closure of Polaroid Eyewear.
The Vale of Leven plant, owned by Italian-based parent firm Safilo, has begun a consultation period with staff and plans to wind down production and shut the site by spring 2017.
Work is expected to transfer to other Safilo sites in China after the firm said the logistics of operating in both countries was unsustainable.
The plant opened in 1965 and once employed 5,000 people.
Luisa Delgado, chief executive of Safilo, said: “We believe, with regret, that the current supply chain could not support the global brand expansion in a sustainable way.
“Polaroid needs modernised production technology and optimized costs with simpler logistic flows to ensure it is sustainable.”
Delgado said the firm was “committed to treating all employees with care and respect”.
She added: “We will continue to give support during this transition period as best as we can.”
Business Minister Fergus Ewing said he was “disappointed” that 107 jobs at the facility were at risk.
He said: “This will be a blow to the local community and will be a very anxious time for employees and their families.
“Scottish Enterprise is engaging with the company’s management team to explore all possible options for supporting the business and retaining jobs in Dumbarton. The Scottish government’s PACE initiative stands ready to offer support for any affected employees.”
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