Bridgend medical supplies plant closure risks 540 jobs

By Paul Pigott & Jared Evitts in Bridgend

BBC News

An American medical manufacturing firm is to close its plant in south Wales, putting 540 jobs at risk.

Zimmer Biomet, which makes hip and knee replacements, said it would “cease manufacturing” at its Bridgend plant and begin a consultation with staff.

Plant director Maria Silva said she would “evaluate alternatives and how to limit the loss of jobs”.

Unite, which represents workers at the plant, said it would “fight for jobs and a viable future for the site”.

Hundreds of workers could be seen leaving the plant, which once employed more than 800 people, with some waving goodbye to each other, following a staff meeting at 11:30 BST on Thursday.

“We’re not allowed to talk to you, but you can see on our faces it’s not good news,” said one man who was leaving the factory with a white envelope in his hand.

Diane Inkpen, 78, from Porthcawl called it a “shame for all the young people in this area”.

“They have a lot of worries now between feeding their children and keeping a roof over their heads,” she said.

Jess Reed, 30, owns The Station in Coychurch, an independent shop selling local produce just a few hundred metres from the factory.

“Passing trade we rely on heavily because we are out of the way, so that could be a massive impact on us,” she said.

“It could be a massive impact on the local area, not just families, the local economy as well.”

The announcement only affects manufacturing at the plant on Bridgend’s Waterton Industrial Estate, with commercial and research and development staff continuing to work at company’s commercial distribution centre.

The Welsh government gave £700,000 to a £2.5m expansion of the plant in 2016, which saw 40 new jobs created.

The factory manufactures a range of hip and knee replacement products that are exported globally.

Unite’s regional Wales secretary, Peter Hughes called the news “devastating” for its members and their communities.

“Almost 550 well-paid, highly skilled jobs are at stake here, and the Bridgend area cannot absorb the economic impact this closure would bring,” he said.

“During the six-month consultation period Unite will fight for jobs and a viable future for the site.”

There is palpable shock among everyone I have spoken to about this.

This is a global company that had been in Bridgend for decades and recruited locally, so the impact on the community if closure goes ahead will be significant.

Zimmer Biomet has manufacturing plants in Europe and Asia, which will likely get the work currently done in Bridgend if these 540 jobs go.

My understanding is that the company did not reach out to Welsh government for any assistance prior to making the announcement.

For the workers at the plant and their families, the next few weeks will be a very difficult time.

Zimmer Biomet’s manufacturing plant is about a mile from another former key employer in Bridgend, the Ford engine plant.

That shut in 2020, ending production after 40 years, with the loss of more than 1,600 jobs.

At the time is was estimated the plant had brought £3bn to the area over the previous 10 years.

Sarah Murphy, who represents Bridgend in the Senedd, asked why politicians were not informed about the closure plans sooner.

“They could have let us know beforehand,” she told BBC Radio Wales.

“I’m reaching out now…. trying to understand why and if there a chance of protecting these jobs.

“It’s just such a shock for everybody. They received Welsh government funding not too long ago and that was to protect jobs at the time.”

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething called it “extremely disappointing” and said he was “deeply concerned” for staff and the wider community.

He added: “Our priority now is to support the staff affected by today’s announcement. We will be working closely with Bridgend council, the Department for Work and Pensions and the plant’s trade union to ensure employees receive the support they need.”

Huw David, leader of Bridgend council, described it as a “significant blow for staff and the local economy”.

Leanne Lewis, who represents Pencoed on Bridgend council, said she had family members who work at the plant.

“This has come as a huge shock,” she said. “To be honest I’m utterly speechless.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ economy spokesman, Paul Davies, called on the Welsh government to take immediate action to help those affected.

“Once again Wales is being hit by more shattering news, on top of figures which showed that unemployment grew in Wales but shrunk in other parts of the UK.”

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