A domestic radiator business in south Wales has gone into administration with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
Administrators from professional advisory firm Grant Thornton have been appointed to Newport-based Quinn Radiators, resulting in the immediate loss of 280 staff.
The Irish-owned business has two production lines with capacity to produce 3.5m domestic radiators a year.
Back in 2016 the business received a £3m loan from the Welsh Government, which it said at the time would create 120 jobs and safeguard a further 290.
The business, which also has an operation in Belgium, has capacity to produce 3.5 million domestic radiators a year.
It is based at Imperial Park at the site of what was the LG Semicon plant, a semiconductor operation that never entered production.
In 2017 the business generated revenues of £34m.
The administration is another blow to the Welsh economy after last week car giant Ford announced it would close its engine plant in Bridgend next year with the loss of 1,700 jobs.
Labour MP for ewport West AM Jayne Bryant AM said: "This is devastating news that has come completely out of the blue. It has been handled dreadfully by the company and I have huge sympathy with all the staff who have been a loyal workforce over many years.
"I have spoken this morning with the Minister Ken Skates and understand an event has been organised for Wednesday to bring together key support partners including the Department for Work and Pensions, Careers Wales, Newport City Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau to help and advise to those who have lost their jobs."
"I have also urged the Welsh Government to do all they can to support the workers and their families in this most difficult of times.”
