02/03/2005

LG Philips plant closure to put 760 out of work

LG Philips Displays has announced that its factory in Durham is to close with the loss of 761 jobs.

The firm, which produces cathode ray tubes for use in televisions and computer monitors, cited price erosion and a shift in demand from Europe to Asia Pacific as the main reasons for the closure of the north-east England plant.

David Coppock, plant director, said: "The decision is based solely on the continuing adverse business situation and in no way reflects on the performance of the employees here. Without their hard work, commitment, flexibility and determination, this plant could have closed several years ago."

Mr Coppock added that the market had become "increasingly competitive" and said that demand for flat screen technologies and larger tubes in Europe, as well as "damaging" dollar exchange rates had left the firm with "no option" but to close the Durham factory, which opened in 1972.

Revealing that the plant had suffered a drop in prices of 30% over the past two years, he said: "The plant has incurred heavy losses and with no sign of recovery, we simply cannot sustain this position any longer. Now that this difficult decision has been made, we must do everything we can to support our employees."

Consultations with plant employees and trade union representatives are understood to be under way.

The support provided by LG Philips will take the form of a social plan, which includes a severance package, assistance for employees to find new jobs and retraining in conjunction with JobCentre Plus and other agencies.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 May 2003
LG Philips axes 1,000 jobs as factories close
Two LG Philips factories – one in Wales and one in England – are set to close with the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs, it has been announced today. At Newport, 870 jobs will be lost when production ceases in the middle of August 2003, while 71 jobs will go at Southport when that plant closes at the end of this year or early 2004.
15 April 2014
Imperial Tobacco Announce Closure Of Nottingham Plant
Concerns have been raised for 540 jobs following the announcement that Imperial Tobacco is to shut its Nottingham plant, alongside the closure of two other plants in France. The Nottingham plant produces Lambert & Butler, Embassy, Regal, Superkings (known as John Player) and JPS (John Player Special).
29 November 2011
Motorway Closure Follows 20 Tonne Marmite Spillage
A major clean-up operation is underway after over 20 tonnes of Marmite, a yeast extract, was spilled on the M1 in South Yorkshire. The tanker believed to be carrying the Marmite overturned on the dual carriageway at around 22.00hrs on Monday night, spilling its contents.
10 October 2006
Peugeot factory confirms closure date
The Peugeot car plant in Ryton, near Coventry, is to close in January, it has been announced. Peugeot-Citroen had previously announced that production at the Warwickshire plant would cease in the middle of 2007, with the loss of 2,300 jobs. In a statement, the company said that almost a quarter of the workforce had asked to leave recently.
07 May 2004
Ford Bridgend expansion creates 600 jobs
Ford's recent expansion at the Bridgend Plant has provided 600 jobs as the company brings on stream a second assembly line producing V8 engines destined for the company's top marques.