North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to help a Flintshire packaging firm which last week announced plans to close.
On Friday Mondi, which create flexible plastics packaging, revealed plans to close operations at Deeside Industrial Park, Flintshire, where 167 jobs are at risk, and in Nelson, Lancashire, with 41 jobs affected, due to a "change in demand for these niche products".
During today’s Topical Questions in the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood urged the Economy Minister, Ken Skates AM, to take action to help prevent the company from closing.
He said:
“As you'll be aware, the Mondi Group creates paper and plastic packaging products, and its plants at the Deeside industrial park, where 167 jobs are at risk, and in Nelson, Lancashire, where 41 jobs are affected, create flexible plastics packaging - bags, pouches and laminates - for the consumer industry. But the company said that a change in demand for these niche products has led to the potential closures. However, in its statement last Friday, it said it will start a 45-day consultation process, which could lead to the closure of the practices.
“What is your understanding of the position regarding the change in demand for niche products? What support, if any, working with the other agencies and the UK Government that you described, could be given, either to help stimulate demand for those niche products or vary the niche products, perhaps, into new product lines to ensure that they meet the demand that is out there?”
The Minister replied: “My understanding is also that the products that come from the Deeside plant are very much niche products and that demand for them has, in recent times, subsided. As a consequence, the company needs to make a decision over whether to close the site, or whether, potentially, with assistance from the Welsh Government, perhaps the UK Government and the local authority, it could maintain its presence in North Wales by widening and broadening its base of products.
“That would require, of course, further research and development, and that's precisely why we've encouraged businesses to take full advantage of the advanced manufacturing research centre not far from that particular business. We would encourage the company, if it does decide to retain its presence, which we very much hope it will, to utilise the services and the collaboration within the AMRC.204
“In terms of the support that we stand ready to offer the workers, I've already outlined the rapid response service that now exists in North Wales and that stands ready to assist employees. In addition, we will look very closely at the pipeline of potential investments and growth that we already have for the region, and ensure that every effort is made to secure investment that could lead to new job opportunities being developed in Deeside and beyond”.