Update: Jobs set to go at Welwyn Garden City firm
AS many as 80 people could lose their jobs as a lens making company looks set to close its WGC facility next month. It is believed Carl Zeiss Vision UK will relocate its head office, currently based in Woodfield Road, to a new site in Birmingham on March
AS many as 80 people could lose their jobs as a lens making company looks set to close its WGC facility next month.
It is believed Carl Zeiss Vision UK will relocate its head office, currently based in Woodfield Road, to a new site in Birmingham on March 31.
Managing director John Rosser is reported to have said the move will lead to several redundancies.
After hearing the news, the WHT called Carl Zeiss and was told about 80 people work at the WGC site.
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It is understood an email has been circulated to employees to explain the company's plans.
Nobody in an executive capacity was available for comment at the time of going to press yesterday.
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But in a statement to trade journal Optician, the company, which has been based in WGC for decades, said the move was necessary to provide it with "increased market presence" and a "significantly greater commercial and manufacturing footprint which allowed it to implement future growth".
The statement also includes comments from Mr Rosser, who said: "Where possible, we are attempting to relocate key workers to our new improved facility to strengthen our business, but unfortunately, there we will be several redundancies where role duplication occurs."
Mr Rosser added the relocation "would not have an effect on quality or consistency of service".
* Have you been affected by this move? Call the WHT newsdesk on 01707 384180 or email whtimes@archant.co.uk
