More than 60 jobs to go in West Thurrock (From Thurrock Gazette)

More than 60 jobs to go in West Thurrock

1:43pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in News

MORE than sixty jobs are set to go in West Thurrock with the closure of a concrete block works.

Hanson Building Products is ceasing production at its Thermalite works, in Motherwell Way, at the end of June.

The company said it will operate the site, where building blocks are manufactured and distributed, as a depot while it considers its future.

There are 65 employees at the West Thurrock branch, along with six drivers.

Hanson plans to cut this to four people to run the depot, with two drivers.

Jim Claydon, managing director of Hanson Building Products, said: “These are difficult times for the construction industry.

“It is important that we operate the business at maximum efficiency.

“I appreciate that the proposal will cause uncertainty and concern, but it is critical to the long term future of the Thermalite business.”

Thurrock Council leader John Kent called the news “another knock” for the borough’s economy.

He said: “The news about Thermalite is very disappointing, a tragedy for every worker involved and another knock for Thurrock’s overall economy.

“More than that, I suspect this news is as a direct consequence of this government’s inability to get the country’s economy moving and failing to take Labour’s advice to get the construction industry working and use it to kick-start Britain.”

Staff affected at the depot have been told the news and a consultation period has begun.

Hanson operates two other sites, Hams Hall in Birmingham, and Newbury, in Oxfordshire.