CommScope confirms 60 Lochgelly job losses

A Fife cable manufacturing firm is to cut around 60 jobs, it has been confirmed.

American company CommScope is to shed around half of its workforce at Lochgelly following a three-month consultation process.

Production at the Fife manufacturing plant is to cease just four years after a £1 million investment in the facility.

Other services operated by the firm, including finance and research and development, however, will remain unaffected.

A statement from the firm said: “The collective and individual redundancy consultation process with affected employees regarding the proposed closure of Lochgelly’s manufacturing operation has concluded.

“Those employees whose employment will terminate by reason of redundancy have been notified of this fact.

“The proposed changes have resulted in a net reduction of approximately 60 employees at its Lochgelly facility.

“Approximately 75 of the employees who work in other departments, including Human Resources, Finance, and Research and Development, among others, will not be impacted by the proposed closure of Lochgelly’s manufacturing operations.”

The news is the latest blow to industry in Fife following several high-profile closures at Longannet, Tullis Russell and Velux.

Following those job losses a special task force was established between the Scottish Government and Fife Council to help those affected back into work.

Councillor Lesley Laird, the local authority’s executive spokesperson for the economy, said support would be there for those affected by this latest blow.

“Obviously my first thoughts are with those staff that have lost their jobs,” she said.

“At times like these nobody wants to see anyone lose their job.

“The Fife Task Force has had a lot of success with Tullis Russell and other companies that have closed.

“It is up and running and operating smoothly and is willing to help.

“The company is still maintaining other operations in Fife and I hope that we can work with them.

“Retaining the R&D side of the company is positive because that is a very strong aspect of its work.”