100 workers at Derbyshire business face uncertain future

Discussions are currently underway with 100 employees at Pilkington Plyglass on Cotes Park, Somercotes, due to ‘difficult trading conditions’ in part of the business.

The company has pledged to provide ‘full support’ to those affected during a ‘challenging time’.

‘Every effort’ will be made to find roles for affected workers elsewhere within the business, the company added.

Matt Buckley, managing director of UK&I Architectural at Pilkington, said: “On Friday, August 24, Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd announced that it will cease to trade directly in the Commercial Insulating Glass Unit sector.

“This decision has been made necessary due to ongoing difficult trading conditions in the sector, which have resulted in this segment of the business being loss-making, with no realistic prospect of an upturn in future market conditions.

“The existing, profitable Laminating and cut size Clear Fire Protection arms of the Plyglass business are unaffected and will continue to operate from the Alfreton site.

“It is estimated that 100 employees will be affected, and we have now begun a consultation period with all those impacted.

“We will provide full support during what we know will be a challenging time and every effort will be made to find employment opportunities for affected employees elsewhere within the NSG Group.”

Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd’s full accounts for 2018 state: “The outlook for 2019 is stable, both from a sales and operations viewpoint, and the company intends to maximise its production capability whilst looking to introduce additional value added products to the market place.”

The company, which is owned by the Japansese NSG Group, is one of the world’s largest manufactures of glass and glazing products, primarily serving the building and automotive markets.