A car manufacturer who announced its closure last week resulting in the loss of 60 jobs has dealt a severe blow to the Rhondda community that serves it.
Allevard Springs Ltd has been a large part of Clydach Vale's history after its move from the Llwynypia site a number of years ago.
The small Rhondda village, northwest of Tonypandy, used to have several collieries in the area which provided employment to many people nearby.
But over more recent times, according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 by Lower Level Super Output Area, Clydach Vale is ranked in the top 10% most deprived areas in Wales, ranked 551 out of 1,909. WIMD ranks all small areas in Wales from 1 (most deprived) to 1,909 (least deprived). The data shows that income, employment and other variables are at the higher end of the deprivation scale.
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Allevard Springs Ltd, which is part of the Sogefi Group, said that its closure is the result of lack of investment in car manufacturing, a reduced demand, and the impact of the pandemic. The company has not confirmed when the Clydach Vale site will close, but says that circumstances will be discussed with stakeholders and employees.
As Clydach is a small village in the heart of Rhondda Cynon Taf, many who work at the factory also live in the area, alongside those who work in neighbouring towns such as Tonypandy. The closure of the car manufacturers will affects many, including those that still work there or who have in the past.
Keith Adams, 79, worked on the machines and later maintenance at the factory for over 35 years and retired just 20 years ago. He said: "I was very saddened to hear that it was closing, I never thought it would close. It was a well established company, that I worked in for a number of years, as did my wife and most recently my son. It's a real shame."
Keith's wife Joan, 76, also worked at the Clydach factory for 10 years as a cleaner, and was also sad to hear of its closure. She said: "I was very sad to hear it was closing considering how many worked there. It's a real shame for the community."
Allevard Springs Ltd has been operating in the Tonypandy area since 1947 and is a manufacturer of suspension springs for cars and light commercial vehicles.
Another local resident Eileen Griffiths, 73, who lives close by to the factory, said: "It's such a shame for it to shut. There's not much around here anymore."
Brian Adams, 84, has lived in Clydach all his life and said that the closure of the factory would be another blow. He said: "It's wrong that it's closing. So much money went it to that factory over the years, to see it all go would be sad. There's hardly anything in Clydach now."
A statement from Allevard Springs said: "Over the past five years, investment in new car manufacturing in the UK has fallen drastically. This, combined with declining global demand and the impact of the health crisis, has led Allevard Springs Ltd into a loss-making situation with no pathway to return to profitability.
"As a result of these circumstances, we regret to inform you about the intended closure of the Clydach Vale site.
"The timing and manner in which any intended closure is progressed will be considered in wide ranging consultations with stakeholders, including employees and their representatives.
"We remain committed to working with our employees to mitigate the impact of a closure and complying with our social responsibility to those affected."
Unite the union has said it planned to try and reverse the announcement by Allevard Springs that it intends to close, resulting in the loss of 60 jobs.
Unite Regional Officer Andrew Pearson said: "This proposed closure would be a body blow to a Welsh manufacturing sector attempting to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
"The workforce at Allevard Springs is world class and will be devastated by this news. Unite is calling upon Allevard Springs to think again and commence immediate talks with Unite to seek an alternative way forward to secure the future of the plant.
"Unite is also calling on the Welsh Government to engage immediately to support this process and explore all avenues at its disposal to save these high quality jobs”.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have been informed of the deeply disappointing decision by Sogefi Group to close Allevard Springs in Clydach Vale. This will be a worrying time for workers, their families and the local community and we are ready to do all we can to support staff at this time.”
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