Company to ‘mothball’ cement plant

SEVEN DECADES of cement making in a village on the banks of the River Humber are set to end after its owner said it was looking at mothballing one of its plants.

Cemex is about to start consultation with around 100 employees at the South Ferriby Cement Plant.

For decades the plant has provided much-needed rural employment for generations of people in the North Lincolnshire village. It has been an important contributor to the local economy, adding around £10m a year, through wages, rates and the buying of services.

In a statement the firm said it was looking at mothballing the plant in the third quarter of this year, and it could lead to all the workers there being made redundant.

The current cement drivers “are not immediately impacted but the intention is to review the optimal haulage provision”, it added.

The company insisted the decision had not been influenced by the coronavirus pandemic, but was linked to an analysis of its European cement supply chain.

It said it would not be claiming from the government scheme for workers who have been furloughed, if the mothballing was to proceed.

A statement said the site would be secured and managed and the firm would continue to supply clay from its quarry to the flood defences being built by the Environment Agency.

It added: “The proposal to mothball the South Ferriby Cement Plant comes after an analysis of the company’s European cement supply chain. Cemex remains committed to the UK and its European business, which is one of the company’s largest regions, and will continue to have a strong national presence.”