More clothing jobs at risk (From Western Telegraph)

More clothing jobs at risk

THE WORKFORCE at the Dewhirst clothing factory in Fishguard leave for a three-week holiday tomorrow (Thursday) knowing that their jobs could be axed when they return to work.

Dewhirsts managing director Stan Liptrot held a crisis meeting with the 120-strong workforce on Monday, following the companys decision last Thursday to close its Cardigan factory with the loss of 300 jobs.

Mr Liptrot could give no assurances that the same fate would not befall the Fishguard factory when staff returned from their summer break on August 12th.

Their future was dependant on negotiations for future orders with the companys sole buyer, Marks and Spencer.

Cardigan, which specialises in manufacturing jeans, will close in three months because of fierce competition in the denim market.

As yet, no other company had been able to beat Dewhirsts price on polyester, the material used in manufacturing at Fishguard.

I wouldnt like to hazard a guess on the future of this factory, I am a bit short on confidence at the moment, Mr Liptrot told the Western Telegraph on Monday.

But at the end of the day this factory still makes money, it makes no mistakes on delivery performance. We are not being attacked on price here.

When the Cardigan factory closes in the autumn, Fishguard will be the last of Dewhirsts branches in West Wales following the shutdown of Lampeter and Swansea.

Ironically, it is fears over the future of jobs that could lead to Fishguards closure.

It is already under-staffed and if just ten machinists walked out it would be enough to force the closure decision.

We cant stand any more losses, said Mr Liptrot. Staff from Cardigan would be offered jobs at Fishguard, but Mr Liptrot was not confident that they would be willing to relocate.

Certainly, there are jobs here for them, we have an eroding workforce because of circumstances, but past experiences have taught us that people dont travel well, he said.

Staff at Fishguard fear their factory will follow the same fate as Cardigan. Twenty-seven-year-old Julie Morris, of Dinas, has worked at the factory since she left school. She said she will have no choice but to leave the area if she loses her job. There would be nothing around here for me - there would be 20 people all chasing one job, she said. Young people are leaving this area because there is no work. It is fast becoming one big retirement village.

Her colleague, fellow machinist Terrie Williams, of Goodwick, said it was unlikely that the staff would enjoy their three-week holiday.

We have no idea what to expect when we get back, she said. The Dewhirst factory in Cardigan is the biggest private sector employer in Ceredigion.

Its closure is said to be as a direct result of consumer pressure on prices. This had led to insufficient profitable business being available to maintain its UK manufacturing at current levels.