A PLASTICS firm has announced that 65 jobs will be lost as it moves to close its manufacturing operation in Greenock.
Berry BPI bosses told staff at the company that a reduction in demand from customers in healthcare, construction and industrial packaging was behind the decision to shut down the facility.
Workers were called to an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the Greenock Telegraph reports, to be told that the manufacturing arm of the firm will cease to operate in the town.
READ MORE: Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for telling migrants to 'f*** off'
Inverclyde council leader Stephen McCabe described the move as “extremely disappointing” and urged the company to rethink their decision to close the unit, while SNP MP Ronnie Cowan said the move was a “devastating blow”.
It is understood that the financial shared service centre and head office at the site will remain open and unaffected.
However, around 65 jobs are expected to be made redundant in the manufacturing operation.
Announcing the closure, Berry BPI said: "The company has seen reduced demand from a number of its sectors at its site in Greenock, Renfrewshire.
"The site supplies a range of markets including construction, industrial packaging and healthcare.
"As a result, BPI has regrettably had to announce a number of possible redundancies, with up to 65 roles potentially affected.
"Along with its manufacturing facility, BPI operates a Financial Shared Service Centre and Head Office admin from its Greenock site and these functions will be unaffected by these proposed changes.”
The firm added that redundancy consultations had begun with staff affected by the decision.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir to be published after nine-way bidding war
"This is a devastating blow and will come as a huge shock to the workforce,” MP Cowan said of the closure.
"Berry has been a vital contributor to our local community for decades. They have continued to employ locally albeit under different names throughout that time.
"For this to happen during a cost-of-living crisis will make matters even worse.
"It will affect families across Inverclyde and beyond.
"The company is blaming a downturn in demand, and while I respect its right to make choices, however hard, there appeared to be no hint of such drastic action.”
Cowan added that his office was in contact with the company and urged them to make sure they make “good on its promise” to redeploy staff to other sites.
READ MORE: Stephen Flynn hits out at 'shameful' Labour before Rutherglen visit
Council leader McCabe said the news will be “deeply worrying” for the workforce who are now at risk.
“I would urge the company to rethink their decision to close the manufacturing unit and see the value in having such a skilled and dedicated workforce,” he said.
“Officers will be engaging directly with the company to see if there is anything we, as a council, can do to prevent the closure of the manufacturing facility and, crucially, save as many of the 65 jobs that could be on the line as possible."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here