A PLASTICS firm has announced that 65 jobs will be lost as it moves to close its manufacturing operation in Greenock.
Berry BPI bosses told staff at the company that a reduction in demand from customers in healthcare, construction and industrial packaging was behind the decision to shut down the facility.
Workers were called to an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the Greenock Telegraph reports, to be told that the manufacturing arm of the firm will cease to operate in the town.
Inverclyde council leader Stephen McCabe described the move as “extremely disappointing” and urged the company to rethink their decision to close the unit, while SNP MP Ronnie Cowan said the move was a “devastating blow”.
It is understood that the financial shared service centre and head office at the site will remain open and unaffected.
However, around 65 jobs are expected to be made redundant in the manufacturing operation.
Announcing the closure, Berry BPI said: "The company has seen reduced demand from a number of its sectors at its site in Greenock, Renfrewshire.
"The site supplies a range of markets including construction, industrial packaging and healthcare.
"As a result, BPI has regrettably had to announce a number of possible redundancies, with up to 65 roles potentially affected.
"Along with its manufacturing facility, BPI operates a Financial Shared Service Centre and Head Office admin from its Greenock site and these functions will be unaffected by these proposed changes.”
The firm added that redundancy consultations had begun with staff affected by the decision.
"This is a devastating blow and will come as a huge shock to the workforce,” MP Cowan said of the closure.
"Berry has been a vital contributor to our local community for decades. They have continued to employ locally albeit under different names throughout that time.
"For this to happen during a cost-of-living crisis will make matters even worse.
"It will affect families across Inverclyde and beyond.
"The company is blaming a downturn in demand, and while I respect its right to make choices, however hard, there appeared to be no hint of such drastic action.”
Cowan added that his office was in contact with the company and urged them to make sure they make “good on its promise” to redeploy staff to other sites.
Council leader McCabe said the news will be “deeply worrying” for the workforce who are now at risk.
“I would urge the company to rethink their decision to close the manufacturing unit and see the value in having such a skilled and dedicated workforce,” he said.
“Officers will be engaging directly with the company to see if there is anything we, as a council, can do to prevent the closure of the manufacturing facility and, crucially, save as many of the 65 jobs that could be on the line as possible."
