Anglesey cable factory to close in major blow to island's economy

A cable firm on Anglesey has told workers that it is closing its factory with work being relocated to the West Midlands.

Marco Cable Management was set up in Llangefni in 2003 - backed by support from the  Welsh Government , HSBC and  Anglesey  council.

It grew into a large employer with more than 80 staff on the island and in the sales team around the UK. The company became part of the Atkore International group in 2017.

Now workers have been told the site on Bryn Cefni industrial estate in Llangefni is closing with work relocated to the Unistrut UK(another part of Atkore) site in West Bromwich.

The company said around 40 people will be affected by the proposal to transfer to the West Midlands facility under TUPE Regulations and transition process.

A spokeswoman added: "We appreciate that not all employees will be in a position to relocate and we are therefore commencing a 30 day collective consultation process with those affected, this will start on Friday 11 October.

"We recognize this is difficult news for the affected employees, their families and colleagues. 

"We are assisting impacted employees by discussing and facilitating the process of relocation to the West Bromwich facility as well entering into the collective consultation process.

Marco Cable at Bryn Cefni Industial Estate, Llangefni, Anglesey (Daily Post Wales)

"In some cases, we are working with identified employees on other opportunities within Atkore."

Unite Wales regional officer Paddy McNaught said: "This is very disappointing news for the staff and for the Anglesey economy. For an area like Anglesey this is a big employer.

"Workers will be offered the chance to relocate but it is probably not financially viable for many of those on the shop floor."

This latest news comes after a difficult year for the island's economy.

At the start of the year the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station project was suspended by Hitachi and this was followed by the announcement that Rehau was shutting its Amlwch plastics site, where more than 100 people worked.

Mr McNaught added: "It is disappointing to see another factory facility closing on Anglesey."