Interfloor urged to pause plans to close Dumfries factory
by Jackie Grant, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/jackie-grant/ · Daily RecordGet the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp
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A company threatening to close a Dumfries flooring factory with the loss of 33 jobs has been urged to pause the plans.
GMB Scotland said Interfloor, which makes gripper bars for carpets at the site, had announced the proposed closure without exploring other options.
The union has written to finance secretary Kate Forbes and MSPs raising concern and urged the firm to halt the closure proposals to allow any potential rescue to be discussed.
The firm triggered a 30-day consultation period just before a week-long shutdown after announcing plans to close the factory in Dumfries and move the work to a sister operation in Haslingden, in Lancashire, making underlay.
Managers suggested staff from the Dumfries plant could travel south to help train workers there in the short-term until the transfer of work is complete.
Alan Ritchie, GMB Scotland organiser at Interfloor, wrote to the company this week urging it to pause the consultation period to allow talks to take place with politicians and South of Scotland Enterprise.
He said: “These plans to close the factory came as a shock to the workforce but executives had obviously been discussing them for months. Given that, to make the announcement and start the 30-day clock just before closing the factory for a week seems questionable timing.
“We would urge the company to pause, take a breath, and properly consult on these plans and explore any other potential options apart from pulling out of a town where it has been an important employer for many years.”
GMB Scotland has also written to the Scottish Government and local politicians, including MSPs David Mundell, Emma Harper and Colin Smyth, urging them to help protect the jobs in Dumfries.
Managing director Gary McEwan said: “Over the past few years, this situation has led to a marked reduction in sales, and we have been operating at a loss.”
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