Glass jobs at risk
ANOTHER of Doncaster's oldest flagship manufacturing firms is under threat, the Star can reveal today.
Glass giant Pilkington's, an employer in Doncaster for decades, has put its Kirk Sandall factory under review, putting a question mark over the jobs of its staff.
Head of corporate affairs David Roycroft said: "As far as Kirk Sandall is concerned, it's certainly true that operations are under review.
"The way trading conditions are at the moment is quite difficult, so we are looking at the business, but there are no immediate plans to close the site."
It comes as Kirk Sandall residents have been speculating that the factory could be closed.
Doncaster Councillor Edwin Simpson told a meeting of Doncaster Council's planning committee: "I understand from residents that Pilkington's plans to close in a year."
Pikington's is one of the oldest manufacturing firms in the borough and the company's Doncaster factory employs around 100 workers.
Pilkington's plate works was first opened in 1922 to supplement production at the firm's original factory at St Helens, and has been a major employer in the borough ever since.
The company was taken over by a Japanese firm after a 1.8 billion deal in 2006.
The deal agreed with Nippon Sheet Glass ended 180 years of independent trading by the company.
It was agreed at the time that the European operations of the company would remain unchanged in the UK.
Kirk Sandall's Doncaster Councillor Paul Bissett said he had been told by staff who work there it would be closing.
He said: "They have reduced the numbers working there over the years but the village was build around Pilkingtons and it would be a concern to see jobs go. The loss of any jobs is bad for the community. The loss of around 100 jobs could be devastating for Kirk Sandall."
Fellow ward councillor Mick Maye was today urging the firm to keep the Kirk Sandall site running.
He said: "It would be a sad day for Doncaster if we lose this factory. They are good, well-paid jobs. When you have a good workforce like that any sensible employer would want to retain them.
"We've already recently lost the tractor factory in Doncaster."
Tractor firm McCormick closed its factory on Wheatley Hall Road at the end of last year.
The final CX105 tractor was decorated with a special Union Jack motif on its bonnet and roof, and ended more than 60 years of tractor production in the town.
Production of the CX105 model was transferred to Italy.
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