Around 31 jobs could be lost at a Caerphilly packaging firm, it has been announced.
Coveris Rigid Ltd, based on the town’s Pontygwindy Industrial Estate, has said it had entered a 45 day consultation period with staff over possible redundancies.
The company, which was previously known as Kobusch before it was bought out earlier this year, said the plan to close the factory was a result of a decision to concentrate on other markets.
Jo Robson, HR Manager, said: “Strategically for the business, we are focusing on high value-added service and technology within growth markets.”
She added that PVC-based packaging was in steady decline and that the company was withdrawing from the market. As a result, the Caerphilly site could close.
The consultation period started on July 7 and the company is now in discussions with union Unite.
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert has asked for a meeting with company bosses.
He said: “I’ve contacted the company to request a meeting with management to discuss the situation and naturally I hope alternatives, other than job losses, can be found”.
Kobusch was bought earlier this year by Coveris Rigid earlier this year which saw the company’s three sites in England, Scotland and Wales rebranded under the new name.
According to the company website, Kobusch had a UK annual turnover of approximately £60m.
At the time of acquiring the company, Coveris Rigid’s global CEO Dieter Bergner said the firm was “a great addition”.
I hope local people are not being laid off in favour of polish people. This has happened in the past.
All part of being in the EU Jan, the sooner we are out of it the better.