300 jobs to go from Melksham’s biggest employer

300 jobs are at risk in Cooper Tires in Melksham after the company announced plans to begin a consultation period to see the viability of removing the light vehicle tyre production.

The company says it is ‘exploring ceasing the light vehicle tyre production’ in Melksham, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs over a period of 10 months.

The plans were announced to a meeting of all staff at the Melksham works today, 10th October.

The meeting was very short, with all employee’s exiting the building shortly after the 3pm start, all with letters in hand.

The letter said, “Unfortunately, the Melksham sit is an older, smaller facility that does not offer economies of scale. Due to facility, age and location in the centre of town, it is the Company’s current view, subject to consultation, that it is not economically feasible to modernise or expand the Melksham sit for light vehicle tyre production.”

This puts at risk approximately 212 rubber worker roles, 43 engineering roles and 45 salaried roles.

At the scene, father and son Tom and Brad Wilkins told Melksham News, “There is still hope for some, and it is a lot better than everyone first thought but it’s still shocking. It will mostly be the shop workers that are affected, which is around 360 employees.” Brad Wilkins is an apprentice electrical engineer who has just completed his third year, with no certainty of finishing his fourth and final year.

“I have no idea whether I will be kept on after the 10 month consultation period,” Brad said, “You just have to expect the worse and hope for the best.”

Dad, Tom Wilkins said, “The consultation is to see whether it is viable to get rid of the light tyre production. It first came as a shock but if you read more into it, it’s inevitable it was going to happen, they have invested so much as a company over in Serbia.

“The worst bit is the uncertainty, not knowing who will go. It doesn’t look good for Melksham however, we all were expecting it to shut completely, everyone was so nervous in the meeting.”

Jaap van Wessum, General Manager – Cooper Tire Europe, said, “We know the prospect of making positions redundant is difficult for our colleagues and the local community to consider. Yet, for Cooper Tire Europe to thrive into the long-range future, remaining a large Melksham-based employer, and meeting our obligations, we must explore obtaining light vehicle tyres from locations other than Melksham.

“Pending consultation, if positions are made redundant, Cooper will remain committed to doing all we can to support those employees who may potentially be affected. We will be consulting with our recognised trade union, Unite, and other employee representatives, and have arranged additional support for affected colleagues, which will be available throughout this process. In addition, we will work closely with Wiltshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions to provide the best possible support to our colleagues and community.

“It is essential for Cooper to be globally competitive in the tyre industry. To deliver on our strategic growth objectives, we must produce quality light vehicle tyres in high volumes and at a competitive cost. Unfortunately, the Melksham site is an older, smaller facility that does not offer economies of scale and it is the highest cost facility in the global Cooper network. Due to facility age and location in the centre of town, it is our current view, subject to consultation, that it is not economically feasible to modernise or expand there for light vehicle tyre production.

“It is important to underscore that if we ultimately cease light vehicle tyre production in Melksham, Cooper is not leaving the Melksham community. It is the home of Cooper Tire Europe’s headquarters, sales and marketing offices, Europe Technical Centre, and materials business. We plan to continue manufacturing specialised motorsports and motorcycle tyres at the Melksham plant. If redundancies occur, Cooper Tire Europe will still employ hundreds locally and continue to honour its existing obligations.”

For more information, visit www.CTEMelkshamInfo.co.uk

Melksham Town Council has offered to provide whatever support it is able, to help those impacted by today’s announcement. The Town Council will work alongside Wiltshire Council, DWP, Wiltshire College, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and any other relevant bodies to do all possible to support any staff and their families affected.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jon Hubbard commented, “We are desperately sad to learn of these potential job losses but are relieved that some of the worst-case scenarios that have been floated in the last few days have not come to pass. Cooper Tires have assured us that they are committed to remaining in Melksham for the foreseeable future and we look forward to continuing to have a productive working relationship with them.”