Steelworks to close down

An historic Walsall foundry is to shut at the end of next month bringing an end to around 200 years of manufacturing at the site, it was revealed today.

Ductile Wesson at Victoria Steel Works, in Moxley, will halt all production by June 30. Some 110 staff have already lost their jobs with 30 to go next month.

The demise of the historic 13-acre base has been gradual since February, when bosses announced it would be forced to close. Ten staff will remain on site clearing it for a possible sell-off.

Managing director Tarlok Singh said: "The whole site should be cleared by the end of the year and we will then decide what we are going to do with it.

"It is has been a progressive thing, it is coming to an end now and it is very sad."

The company, owned by Niagara LaSalle, also has sites in Planetary Road, Willenhall; Peartree Lane, Brierley Hill; and Bagnall Street in Tipton, which will remain open.

Bosses admit the credit crunch has hit hard at the company, which buys steel and rolls it to supply to industries including automotive, hydraulic and engineering.

A 90-day consultation period over the future of the firm was launched in January, but no options to save it could be found. There has been a foundry on the land since the early 1800s.

Councillor Paul Bott said: "A lot of the pensioners who live in Moxley spent their working lives there and then their sons and daughters have worked in Wessons too. It's been a big part of the life of Moxley people for years."