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Noise row threatens 160 jobs at factory
A SHEFFIELD-based international engineering group is threatening to close a Derbyshire factory with the loss of 160 jobs after being hit with a noise abatement order.
Firth Rixson Forgings says it will have no alternative but to close its Darley Dale factory and shift production to the USA if an appeal fails.
Group chief financial officer Peter Bland said: "We will do everything we can to avoid closure, but this is a terrible blow to the area, to high-technology manufacturing in the UK, and to other businesses within the Darley Dale community."
Mr Bland attacked Derbyshire Dales District Council, which imposed the order and took court action to enforce it.
"The actions of the council are likely to lead to the closure of this factory and the loss of some 160 or more jobs, as well as the loss of further employment opportunities that would have gone alongside growth plans for the near future," said Mr Bland.
"The lack of support for local industry and local employment by the council is simply staggering.
"The court action not only undermines the company's plans for further investment in the UK, which would bring much needed further employment to the area, but will also result in the loss of an integral part of the UK manufacturing industry to overseas competition."
David Fearn, Lib Dem councillor for Darley Dale, said: "It's really bad news. It would be a tragedy if they decided to move production elsewhere. They are a major employer and there are a lot of skilled people there.
"The firm has tried its best to stay within the law and put in a lot of remedial measures to overcome the complaints they have received. Unfortunately, it didn't seem they could do anything about the heavy press they finally put in.
"The council decided it was a statutory nuisance and, therefore, it had to act. The council was given very little choice and could have been taken to court itself. It was a Catch 22 situation. It's really very unfortunate."
The plant is a leading supplier to global aero-engine manufacturers like Rolls Royce, Pratt and Whitney and GE Aviation, the civil nuclear and gas turbine industries.
In 1997 the company installed a 5,600 tonne press, which is at the heart of the dispute even though the firm says it is quieter than the equipment it replaced.
Since then, Firth Rixson has worked with the council and spent 750,000 on reducing the noise of the press further but, in October 2008, the council served the abatement order.
Firth Rixson says it had attempted to reach agreement on operating hours with the council but with no success, so it appealed against the notice.
The firm was defeated at Chesterfield Magistrates' Court, which gave the firm some small solace by leaving the council to pay its own costs of 200,000.
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