Deeside jobs blow – Assembly Member speaks over massive cuts to Convatec workforce

ConvaTec, which employs 500 people at its Deeside manufacturing plant makes wound dressings and colostomy bags, has announced plans to make 93 full-time positions redundant due to restructuring.

The company began consulting with employees on Monday and plans for the changes to be made by the end of the first quarter of 2017.

The cuts are due to ConvaTec’s plans to make the Deeside facility a centre of excellence for its advanced wound care franchise. Other production currently carried out in Deeside will be moved elsewhere.

The company is investing in Deeside and its advanced wound care products as well as expanding its research and development facility creating 10 highly skilled jobs in the next six months.

Full Statement from ConvaTec

[miptheme_quote author=”Convatec Statement” style=”boxquote text-left”]In 2015 ConvaTec, a global medical technology company, commenced a margin improvement programme to improve efficiencies across our manufacturing and supply chain operations and help fuel growth-focused investments important to our future success.

As part of our manufacturing network strategy, our production facility in Deeside has been designated as a Technology and Automation Centre of Excellence for our Advanced Wound Care franchise.

As a result, we will be transitioning the production of non-wound care products from Deeside and reorganising our Advanced Wound Care operations at the site to improve efficiencies, productivity and build a foundation for future growth in Advanced Wound Care.

Our Hydrofiber® manufacturing site in Rhymney, Wales and our Global Research & Development Centre in Deeside are not affected by these changes.

On Monday, November 14, we began a consultation process with our Deeside operations workforce affected by these changes, notifying them of a proposed reduction of 93 full time positions by the end of the first quarter of 2017.

ConvaTec is offering voluntary redundancy packages to qualified employees, and we are committed to treating all employees affected by these decisions with fairness and respect and in compliance with applicable requirements.

We are proud of our heritage in Wales, as the home of our Global R&D headquarters and excellence in Advanced Wound Care production.

We are dedicated to providing our customers around the world with the high quality products that meet their needs in Advanced Wound Care and our other core business areas.[/miptheme_quote]

In 2013 ConvaTec invested £3.7m expanding its operations in Deeside with support from the Welsh Government.

The investment at its Global Manufacturing Centre on Deeside Industrial Estate helped create 67 jobs and safeguarded a further sixteen.

Carl Sargeant AM said;

“I’m obviously massively disappointed to hear about such a large number of redundancies in the constituency. My thoughts are with those affected by this announcement, and anyone involved is welcome to contact my office if I can offer any assistance.

“I wrote to ConvaTec on Monday to tell them how disappointing it is. I told them that while I welcomed the investment they have planned for Deeside and the creation of 10 new highly-skilled jobs, nevertheless this only slightly mitigates against the 93 redundancies.

The net loss of 83 jobs will have a devastating effect on the community.

“I urged ConvaTec to make every effort to make up as many as possible of the 93 redundancies with voluntary redundancies, and to offer as much support as possible to anyone whose redundancy is compulsory.

“I also expressed my hope that if there is trade union membership amongst Convatec’s employees that the unions have been and are being involved in any discussions. I am happy to meet with management and unions if this would be helpful.”

On Monday Mr Sargeant also wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates to ask what support the Welsh Government can offer to constituents who will be adversely affected by ConvaTec’s decision.

Carl Sargeant added: “I have received a reply from ConvaTec stating that they will keep me updated on the process, and assuring me that they are making every effort to ensure that as many as possible of the 93 redundancies will be done on a voluntary basis.”

Second blow for Deeside jobs.

ConvaTec raised more than more than £1.7bn just a few weeks ago in the company’s first sale of stock to the public.

It was the biggest flotation on the London stock market this year and the largest ever European healthcare listing.

It’s the second jobs blow to hit Deeside Industrial Estate in a just a few weeks ago pharmaceutical company NuPharm announced they will be closing their Deeside business with the loss of 66 jobs.

The move comes after the parent company reported a drop in pre-tax profit during the first half of its financial year.

Quantum say they expect the Deeside Industrial Estate business will close by the end of December.