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Up to 100 manufacturing jobs may be lost at Hamlin
Written by News Desk   
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
Approximately 100 manufacturing jobs could be lost in Diss over the next 18 months as Hamlin Electronics Europe announces proposals which could move the remainder of the manufacturing part of its Norfolk operation to a lower-cost economy overseas. Its Global Technical Centre with around 60 staff is expected to remain in the area and expand. Consultation with staff began this afternoon.

Ever-increasing global competition and the resulting pressure to drive down production costs has forced the company to re-evaluate its manufacturing presence in the UK.

The company will continue to explore all avenues to reduce manufacturing costs and increase production through additional sales and partial off shoring as part of its consultation exercise. 

Regrettably manufacturing in the UK may no longer be a viable option for the company.The proposals could see the first phase of redundancies taking place in early 2008 with the remainder phased throughout 2008 and 2009.

Antony Howell, president, Hamlin Electronics Europe said: “This is a very sad day for us all and a bitter blow for those in manufacturing who have worked so hard with us to stave off this decision.

Electronics manufacture has been established in Diss for over 40 years and many of us have worked for Hamlin here for more than half that time. The reality is that it may simply no longer be an option for us to continue manufacturing in the UK.

“While it may be no comfort to those affected by this move, we are fully committed to retaining our Global Technical Centre in the region and the skilled engineers employed in it.

“We expect it to play an increasingly important global role for Hamlin in the future as the automotive and consumer goods market uses more and more of the types of high-technology sensors we develop.”

Hamlin will be working closely with the local council, training and employment organisations to ensure that staff affected by these decisions are fully supported.

Hamlin Electronics Europe is a leading producer of safety-critical sensors and other components primarily for the automotive industry. It has sister manufacturing operations in the USA and Mexico with additional sales offices in mainland Europe and China.
 
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