Manufacturing firm reveals plans to close its Wigan plant, with 46 jobs at risk

BMI UK and Ireland has launched a consultation on plans to shut its Redland concrete manufacturing plant on Farm Lane, New Springs.

Production would be moved to a site in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, if the proposal was given the green light.

The firm said collective consultation is currently taking place with 46 employees and their union representatives.

A BMI UK and Ireland spokesman said: “Following a careful evaluation of market conditions and evolving customer demand, BMI UK and Ireland is proposing to make changes to certain parts of its operations. The changes are intended to position the business for the long-term by refining our footprint and focusing on how we can more efficiently serve our customers.

“We are therefore consulting on a proposal to close the concrete manufacturing plant in Wigan and transfer production to the Vandyke plant in Leighton Buzzard, where we intend to expand the manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

“Our employees are our top priority and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted.”

GMB regional organiser Gary Edwards, who is representing staff, said BMI Redland is the firm’s best performing site in England, but he believes there has been under-investment there.

One member of staff has worked at the factory for 37 years.

He said: “There is a loyal workforce there who don’t want to leave. When we have redundancy exercises, there is normally a group of people who want to leave, but no-one wants to go.

"There are 13 due to go at the middle to end of October and the rest will leave between March and whenever they end the production.”

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has written to the employment minister about the proposed closure.

She said: “I am deeply concerned by the proposal to close the Redland plant and hope this can be avoided in order to safeguard jobs and our local construction industry.

"I have written to the minister of state for employment about the situation and will be keeping a close eye on it.”

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We’re always disappointed and concerned to hear of potential business closures in the borough and are ready to offer support to any residents that may be affected. We have also reached out to the company directly to offer advice and support.”

BMI UK and Ireland is a major producer of roofing materials, offering products and services for both flat and pitched roofs.

Redland focuses on pitched roofing products, such as concrete and clay tiles, slate tiles and accessories.

The Wigan plant has been operating for decades.

Its proposed closure would be another blow for manufacturing in Wigan, coming just months after Electric Glass Fiber UK (EGFU) shut its site in Hindley Green, axing 250 jobs.

The factory on Leigh Road made fibre glass for wind turbine blades and to replace the steel in vehicles, trains and planes.

And 750 members of staff lost their jobs when Bakkavor Meals closed its factory in Ince, with bosses saying the operation there was no longer profitable.

Mr Edwards said: “Potentially 1,100 jobs are going in Wigan but there are not 1,100 jobs to replace them.”