Politicians and industry leaders have expressed concern at the sudden announcement that biotech firm Zimmer Biomet was closing its Bridgend plant with the potential loss of 540 jobs.
The American firm, Zimmer Biomet made the announcement on Thursday, June 29 that it is proposing to stop manufacturing at its plant in Bridgend, and that it would "cease manufacturing" at its site in Waterton Industrial Estate and would enter a consultation with its 540 employees.
The company operates in over 25 countries around the world and sells its products in over 100 countries. It specialises in manufacturing medical goods and makes hip and knee replacements. You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: 540 jobs at risk as Bridgend Zimmer Biomet plant set to close
Several public figures in the Bridgend area have written a letter conveying their concern for the job losses to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade since, Kemi Badenoch.
The member of Parliament for Ogmore, Chris Elmore, member of the Senedd for Ogmore, Huw Irranca-Davies, member of the Senedd for Bridgend and Ogmore, Sarah Murphy, and the leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Huw David have all joined forces to write the letter which was sent on Thursday, June 29. The letter reads: "We are deeply concerned at the announcement from Zimmer Biomet today (29 June) that they are set to close their site in Pencoed, putting 540 skilled jobs at risk.
"Zimmer Biomet is a major employer across Bridgend and the organ valleys, and this news has come as a complete shock to the skilled and loyal workforce, many of whom have worked here for decades, and in some cases, their entire working lives.
"This is in addition to the cuts in recent years to a number of highly skilled jobs locally and sectors such as the automotive industry in Bridgend. We implore the UK government to engage urgently and constructively in a meaningful discussion with Zimmer Biomet to explore alternatives to these job losses and to offer support to the workforce who will be deeply worried for themselves and their families at this moment.
"This is extremely disappointing news, and will be deeply concerning for staff at Zimmer Biomet and the wider community."
In a statement on social media the Welsh Government said: "This is extremely disappointing news, and will be deeply concerning for staff at Zimmer Biomet and the wider community. We are now engaging with the company to understand the rationale for this decision and explore any options that exist to protect these jobs.
"Our priority now is to support the staff affected by today’s announcement. We will be working closely with Bridgend County Borough Council, Department for Work and Pensions and the plant’s trade union to ensure employees receive the support they need."
Concerns have also been raised about how it will impact the science industry in Wales. Mike Wilson of the Life Sciences Hub Wales said on twitter: "Zimmer Biomet's planned closure of their plant in Bridgend is a major blow to the local economy and life science industry in Wales. Urgent action needed to support affected workers and attract new opportunities."
Bridgend County Borough Council have also offered their "full support" to workers affected. Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Huw David said: "Zimmer Biomet is a major employer across Bridgend County Borough, and this news has come as a complete shock not only to the company’s skilled and loyal workforce, but to the local authority as well.
“We are seeking to urgently meet with unions and senior managers, and will be offering to set up an employment hub at the Zimmer Biomet premises so that our Employability Team can offer direct support to affected staff, who will be deeply worried for themselves and their families at this moment.
“We are also asking Welsh Government and the UK Government to urgently engage with Zimmer Biomet so that potential alternatives to these job losses can be explored.
“While this news arrives as a significant blow for both staff and the local economy, the council and its partners will be working closely together over the weeks and months to come, and will do everything that we can to offer support and help.”
Welsh Labour & Co-Op Member of the Senedd Huw Irranca-Davies spoke on BBC Radio Wales, expressing the surprise he felt towards the company's closure in Bridgend. He said: "Let me be crystal clear, we have never had any indication that anything was going wrong.
"So I go beyond the shock that everybody feels within the local area. I'm actually quite angry now that there was no reaching out to say how can we help, how can we assist, we've got a problem.
"When I put my head down on my pillow last night, and I've gone through redundancies before, I knew that there were 540 people and their families worrying about their future was and I think it is incumbent upon this company that has had the loyalty over decades of a skilled and committed workforce to now work with them to avoid these job losses, to talk with the unions about alternatives, to reach out to Welsh Government who will be willing to engage with the company and talk about how we keep these jobs.
"This should not be a done deal."
