West Lothian Courier

100 JOBLESS IN NEW BLOW

Polyframe workers told by text factory was closed

- DEBBIE HALL

The Livingston branch of a window and door manufactur­er has closed, leaving 100 employees out of work.

Staff at Polyframe said they were told by text that they no longer had jobs after parent company Customade Group went into administra­tion.

European private equity fund Nimbus stepped in to buy the company’s assets around the country but workers were told Polyframe sites at Livingston and Halifax could not be saved.

The news comes as yet another blow to the West Lothian economy after Livingston firm Wyman Gordon announced it would shed a third of its workforce last month.

One Livingston worker said staff had not been able to get back into the plant to collect their belongings.

Speaking last week, he said: “The company Customade have pulled the wool over our eyes regarding this, saying everything is fine.

“They even got some of us back in on June 8 for two weeks from furlough then put us back on it on June 29.

“We were led to believe everything was OK as it was down to suppliers but then came the announceme­nt that Polyframe Livingston and Halifax employees have no jobs.

“They did, however, get an investor in Nimbus to bail them out and they have kept some factories open in England within the Customade group.

“Alvarez and Marsal have been appointed as administra­tors but this has left a lot of people confused and disgusted at the treatment from the company as to what happens next.

“The company have closed the gates and nobody can gain access to claim personal items.

“The way the company has abandoned us is really hard to swallow and left us without being paid this week.”

Nimbus has created a new group comprising of the Customade sites that have been saved, which will be led by chief executive David Leng.

He said: “I am ver y disappoint­ed for the great staff, suppliers and customers at the Polyframe Halifax and Polyframe Livingston factories.

“These sites were uneconomic to reopen and we were unable to raise funding in these difficult times to restart them.”

Lyn Vardy, senior director at adminstrat­ors Alvarez and Marsal, said: “Regrettabl­y, a number of employees have been made redundant as part of the process and every effort will be made to support them during this difficult time.

“However, this sale has secured the group’s future, enabling the majority of its business lines to maintain operations with little disruption.”

Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance said the news was “deeply disappoint­ing”.

She continued: “My thoughts are with the workforce at this extremely difficult time.

“I have written to the Scottish Government’s business minister Jamie Hepburn about the activation of the Partnershi­p for Continuous Employment team who can provide practical support to the workforce.

“This is an all-too-familiar story for West Lothian with jobs being put at risk by a private equity company.

“As we look to life beyond lockdown we need an economy that supports home- grown businesses.”

Conservati­ve Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, said: “It is a real blow for workers that Nimbus did not take over the Polyframe site at

The company have pulled the wool over our eyes regarding this, saying everything is fine

Livingston.

“The uncertaint­y that is being caused by Covid- 19 and lockdown restrictio­ns makes this a very challengin­g time for many workers.

“Partnershi­p Action for Continuing Employment, d e l i v e red by Sk i l l s Developmen­t Scotland are available to support employees in finding new employment.

“The regenerati­on of the Scottish economy must be the top priority for the Scottish Government and I have called on SNP ministers to establish a West Lothian recovery taskforce.”

Labour Lothian MSP Neil Findlay said: “The situation at Polyframe reflects a wider jobs crisis in the economy as a result of Covid.

“It is crystal clear we need major state interventi­on and planning if the economy is to avoid collapse.

“We cannot leave workers to the brutality of market forces or there will be an economic catastroph­e. The Scottish and UK Government’s must work together to invest in communitie­s and companies to retain jobs.”

Executive councillor for developmen­t and transport Cathy Muldoon said: “To hear of any potential job loss in the local area is a matter for concern and my thoughts are with any worker who finds themselves facing unemployme­nt in this uncertain period.

“There is no doubt that the Covid-19 outbreak will make an impact on employment nationally. Work is well underway in West Lothian to ensure that this impact is mitigated at a local level.

“The West Lothian Jobs Task Force has already met to discuss the current situation, national economic prediction­s and an action plan is being developed to ensure that as much support as possible is put in place to assist local companies and workers and provide a positive outlook in the months ahead.”

 ??  ?? Shut down The Polyframe factory in Livingston
Shut down The Polyframe factory in Livingston

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom