BREAKING NEWS: Over 200 jobs lost as Huntsman Tioxide announce closure
MORE than 200 jobs and a huge part of Grimsby’s industrial might look set to be lost after Huntsman Tioxide announced proposals to close the iconic town site.
The global economic downturn combined with the fact it is the American company’s “oldest and least economic plant,” have led to the decision being made.
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Hunstman Tioxide.
Consultations with trade union and staff representatives are to begin imminently, with the loss of 126 permanent and 75 contract positions.
Production has been scheduled to cease in the next two months.
Paul Dalton, site director, said: “The proposed closure of the pigment plant at Grimsby, after 60 years of operation, is a sad moment, not only for everyone directly affected, but also for the company and the local community with whom we have had a great relationship for many years. As always we will treat our associates fairly and will provide support through this difficult period.”
Describing it as a “symbolic plant,” Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said: “This is disastrous news. We will have to see what we can do to persuade them to change their minds, but it will have been a big decision taken by a multi-national outside of this country.
“It is a surprising decision. It is and old plant, but still producing, and with the pound coming down it makes export so much more competitive.
“We now need to find out what the intentions are and have to bring in arrangements to get jobs for the workers, which is going to be difficult at the moment.”
Glyn Hughes, chief executive of Humber Chemical Focus, the public/private partnership that unites and steers the region’s industry, said: “It is a very sad day for what has been a flagship plant on the Humber for many, many decades. I know the team have worked extremely hard to improve their position, and despite their efforts it has been caught up in much bigger restructuring within the Huntsman Group.”
A ferric sulphate water treatment business, EA West, will continue to operate as a stand alone production unit on the Moody Lane site.
See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for full reaction to this story.
18 Comments
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by JO, Grimsby
Friday, January 23 2009, 9:58AM
“I'm sure that no-one here holds anything personal against Italians or Portugese so it's not helpful to turn this into a "race" issue. It's not "Europe" or "Europeans" that many in Britain take issue with .. its the European Union (and I believe many Italians feel the same way). This area has suffered enormously as a result of Britain's membership of the EU .. first our fishing, then our manufacturing and much much more. But the issue here is NOT race. Its our very livelihoods. And with the gloomy economic climate on everyone's mind right now, you will forgive us if we find this latest development especially distressing, and allow us to be angry without accusing us of racism??”
by MP, Italy
Friday, January 23 2009, 9:11AM
“Overall, I'm sad for GY Tioxide plant, but I like to do few thoughs about some comments I've seen here.
There are much more British workers around the world than Italians, I see. I personally know a dozen. So, please to take in account what could happen to the British internal job market if foreign countries would come back them all....
Every kind of discrimination belongs to the past century: we're all "world's citizens".”
by Lincolnshire Patriot, Lincolnshire
Friday, January 23 2009, 9:11AM
“Here we go again with all the armchair fantasists tip-toeing around the real issue. You all voted for Mitchell and McIsaac and New Labour's pro-EU stance. Well this is what you get and quite frankly where's the surprise? This, combined with NELC and New Labour's and Gordon Brown's willingness to help everyone apart from our own people. And why moan about Portuguese and Italians? When you vote New Labour you invite all this and have been made aware of it. Why not join Britain's fastest-growing political party who are the only party committed to take us out of the EU. Not only that, the site could be put to good use - either a prison or a holding centre for all the invaders you mention prior to them being deported from Immingham Docks! Do nothing and nothing will get done. Alternatively, think about your future and this town's future. Our fishing industry has gone and all associated food industry divisions have collapsed. Manufacturing is now a thing of the past and there will be nothing left. Time for a change and a re-think. We know who's to blame for this and we know that the EU just does not work for us. And before you criticise the Portuguese and Italians and the half million asylum seekers who we will not deport, it is New Labour who invited them and the EU who directed them to us. Tioxide may have gone and many more will follow. Get politically active and do something. The BNP, I understand, came only 8 votes from winning another by election yesterday. Their time appears to be coming and events are moving their way fast! Remember, they are the one party who have the interests of the indiginous population at heart.”
by Glen Kurz, Grimsby
Friday, January 23 2009, 9:05AM
“What a shock and such sad news to hear of the Plants closure.
I worked at the Plant for over 30 years and enjoyed every second of it and met some wonderful people, most of them still my friends.
Such a dedicated workforce does not deserve this fate.
I wish them better news in the very near future.”
by Glen Kurz, Grimsby
Friday, January 23 2009, 9:01AM
“I worked at Tioxide for over 30 years and enjoyed every second, I am very proud to have been a part of the wonderful workforce, a workforce extremely dedicated,
May I send best wishes to all my friends still employed at the site.
Very sad news indeed.”