Uncertainty surrounds the future of steel lintel manufacturer Catnic, based in Caerphilly.
On Tuesday, March 29, Tata Steel announced it was looking to sell off its UK business, which includes Catnic.
Indian-owned Tata made the announcement after claiming a plan to save steel plants, including the UK’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot, was unviable.
Tata is believed to have been losing up to £1 million a day from the Port Talbot plant.
Caerphilly MP Wayne David said: “I think there’s a distinct possibility that Catnic could be caught up in the Tata fiasco, given that it says it intends to sell all its UK assets.
“The greatest possible effort should now be made to save the steel industry and the jobs for the local communities.”
The National Assembly of Wales, which had been on an Easter recess, has been recalled to meet for Monday, April 4 to discuss the future of the Welsh steel industry.
Mr David added: “It’s all very well recalling the Assembly, but now is not the time for more talks, it’s the time for action. Identifying buyers is absolutely vital.”
At time of press, Tata Steel had not responded to a request for comment.
The Catnic factory, situated on Pontypandy Industrial Estate, was established in 1969 and produces high quantities of steel lintels, used in doorways, window frames and archways.
It would be good to hear the take of Assembly Candidates to this news?.
There is of course very little we can do to ensure the survival of a strategic industry, of which Catnic is a small part, because we belong to the EU. The commissioners have ruled that we must use expensive energy via the EU Energy Directive and have made grants, tax breaks and loans from our government to the steel industry illegal. Additionally our armed forces are now having armoured vehicles and ships built from foreign steel as the EU forbids us to show any preference for our own steel.
This situation will only change when we leave the EU and I urge every voter, whatever their party preference, to vote to leave in June.
Correct. The politicians are happy to sacrifice Britain’s steel industry if it means getting a little bit closer to the Chinese. It’s all about destroying Britain’s soul for foreigners’ money.
Just on a tactical note, what would Britain do during wartime if it needs to build ships, or when it comes to replacing current ships? You cannot build it all abroad.
If we have to fight a war again against a country with an armaments industry we will last as long a snow ball in a steel furnace.
Yawn zzz
WALES is better off in EU than out
Sleeping on the job again, Lisa, LOL typical of A Wresh Nationalist supporter. I do of course recognise that there is little or nothing to keep you awake in the policies of The Welsh Nationalist Group on CCBC or the Welsh Assembly, Sleep Tight!!.