Up to 120 Sheffield jobs to go from global fencing company

Bosses at Belgian manufacturer Betafence said they would slash their workforce at their single UK site on Shepcote Lane in Tinsley.

A document seen by The Star outlines the company's plan to shed jobs and 'potentially close of all wire drawing, galvanising lines and end manufacture of

cable and wire' in Sheffield.

Sheffield is the last remaining UK site Betafence has after they closed premises in Wigan in 2009.

The document said 'recent structural innovations' within the Betafence Group reflect the 'changing requirements of many longstanding customers'.

From their latest annual report published on December 31, 2015, the firm employs 199 people - 148 in production and 51 are made up of management, admin and sales.

The company, which makes perimeter fencing for schools, power stations and government installations, had recently bought out Leeds firm Hesco in March of this year for an undisclosed sum.

Christopher Morris, Betafence managing director for the UK & Republic of Ireland, said unions had been notified of the planned job cuts.

The company's announcement in full outlined a 'potential closure of all wire drawing and galvanising lines, ending manufacture of cable and wire in the UK'.

'Relocation of specifically product focused welded mesh machines' to the 'appropriate centre of excellence' within the group’s global business and further 'investment to upgrade and automation for the remaining machines'.

The document signed by the managing director also stated a 'potential reduction in Betafence UK direct workers, staff and management of between 100 – 120 people, by the end of May 2017'.

Betafence closed its original Sheffield Road factory at Tinsley in 2006 - blaming cheap competition from abroad for that round of redundancies.

The company, which used to be known as Tinsley Wire, employed just over 400 people at the time and the former site is now home of the new Ikea store which is expected to open next year.

The firm has been stationed in Tinsley since 1933.

Betafence, which is headquartered in Belgium, has 11 production sites in 10 countries across the world.

Betafence has been contacted for a comment.