Wacker closes Welsh dumper factory, 90 job losses

The recently merged Wacker Neuson is ending dumper production in Tredegar, Wales, with the loss of 90 jobs.

It is transferring manufacturing to its plant in Linz (Austria). The firm predicted that producing dumpers at Linz would make a substantial saving.

Wacker Neuson blames the closure on the economic downturn, which has seen dumper orders halve this year against an overall 18% decline in business. The company said it is committed to finding socially responsible solutions for all staff affected by the layoffs.

In the first nine months of the year the company increased revenue by more than a third to £558m and grew pre-tax profit almost 10% to £76.7m.

However, it has introduced a recruitment freeze and is reassessing current projects and investments, reducing inventory and cancelling some benefits and activities.