Engineering firm cuts another 11 jobs

Eleven full-time workers have been made redundant at Blenheim engineering firm Cuddon Ltd following a lack of other companies upgrading or expanding.

Cuddon Ltd chief executive Andy Rowe said the redundancies were "across the range" of departments including carbon and stainless-steel fabrication, machining, refrigeration and air conditioning, water engineering and freeze drying.

Five of the 11 had taken voluntary redundancy.

Mr Rowe said a "reasonable" proportion of the company's work relied on other companies upgrading or buying new equipment and facilities.

In the last eight to 12 months there had been tightening of spending across all markets which had "significantly reduced" divisions of business at Cuddon, he said.

Nine workers left last week, with the two remaining workers expected to be gone by the end of the month.

Mr Rowe said no workers from the company's international recruitment drive in April 2008 had been made redundant.

The redundancies brought total staff reductions for the year to 13 full-time workers.

"We have not taken these measures lightly as we are aware of the effects of these actions not only the staff and families that leave the company, but also on the remaining workforce and the community," Mr Rowe said.

Meanwhile, Crafar Crouch Construction co-owner Norm Crafar said no-one had been made redundant but a few staff had left.

Mr Crafar said it was natural for extra staff to be brought in to cover a specific contract then finish working for the company when that contract was completed, as had happened recently.

- The Marlborough Express

Newest First

Oldest First