Corus cuts threaten hundreds of lost jobs
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Melanie Hammond Hauliers are likely to axe hundreds of jobs following the announcement that Britain's biggest steel maker is cutting production by a fifth.
The brunt of the cuts by Anglo-Dutch group Corus will affect South Wales where the company's transport is han
dled by six preferred hauliers.
One of them, Owens Road Services, says at least a third of its 250 drivers will be made redundant if no alternative work is found.
Duncan Kiley, general manager of the Llanelli-based family business, says: "We are the largest Wales-based haulier in the preferred group, therefore, we would be affected most of all. Carus accounts for 60-70% of our transport operations and between 40-45% of our overall business."
The impact of the production cut, comprising three million tonnes a year, is yet to be seen. Colin Vickress, traffic manager of Lloyds of Ludlow, which does about 50% of its work for Corus. says: "It is bad news all round. obviously. We are hoping that they will maintain a level of work we can survive on." The company has 45 trucks and about 50 drivers.
The other preferred hauliers are Bridgend-based Canine Stiller, Faber Prest, based in Willenhall, West Midlands, Newport-based Ken Jones Tranport (Goldcliff) and RC Miles Transport of Monmouth.
Over the next two years, Corus will cease production at Llanwern, Ebbw Vale, Shotton, Teeside and Bryngwyn and cut a total of 6,050 jobs. It blames weak demand in UK markets and lack of competitiveness In export markets.