Brintons set to axe 60 jobs at Kidderminster factory
Historic carpet company Brintons is aiming to axe around 60 jobs at its factory in Kidderminster as it shuts down weaving of Axminster carpets after more than a century.
The company, which has been making carpets in the town since 1783, first patented specialist looms to make Axminster carpets in 1890.
The latest move comes just 18 months after Brintons cut another 65 jobs from the Kidderminster workforce.
The loss of 60 jobs will see just 53 remaining on the operational side at the site. Another 89 work at the firm's head offices at Kidderminster.
Brintons' management say they will try to offer those who lose their jobs at Kidderminster new roles at the company's Telford factory. This could mean 10 to 15 transferring.
The company says that, following 'an operational review', it intends to restructure its production processes and "cease the weaving of Axminster carpets at the Kidderminster site".
The firm has entered a 30 day consultation period with production employees affected by the proposal to reduce headcount at the Kidderminster site by around 60 full time employees.
Brintons said its Stourport Road site in Kidderminster remained an important location within the group. It will continue to house the company’s dyeing plant, which supplies coloured yarn to the European production facilities, Wilton weaving, the warehousing and distribution of residential carpets and the group’s head office.
Rob Greenfield, group manufacturing and logistics director said: “Brintons operates in an extremely competitive global marketplace. In order to maintain and strengthen our position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of bespoke carpets, it is vital we constantly review our business operations and are able to respond to prevailing trading conditions.
“We will where possible, offer new employment opportunities at our Telford plant.
“The proposed restructure is part of our long term strategy to safeguard the company’s future interests.”
Brintons makes its carpets in the UK, Poland, Portugal and India, employing a total of around 1,800 staff.
It was bought by The Carlyle Group in September 2011. Its last accounts show earnings after tax had soared 81 per cent to £14.5 million in the 12 months to October 1, 2016.
