Car manufacturer Ford is expected to announce the closure of its Bridgend factory on Thursday, in a devastating move for hundreds of workers.
Around 1,500 people employed at the South Wales site could face losing their jobs under the changes, according to ITV news.
Ford refused to “comment on speculation” however, sources close to the engine plant say it’s “devastating” news.
It's understood that bosses have called trade union leaders from its Bridgend engine plant to its Essex headquarters on Thursday, over fears over the plant's future.
The factory has been in action for more than 40 years, however in recent years, it's been running low on business.
The Jaguar-Land Rover products manufactured at the base are due to move completely by 2020 and with production of the Sigma engine running down, there is little work left to do.
News of the closure first emerged in earlier this year as part of a major restructuring programme.
At the time, the company warned of plans to cut as many as 1,000 jobs at its Bridgend base over the next two years.
The car giant said 400 roles were at risk in the first phase of a voluntary redundancy programme that could see many, and potentially thousands, of roles axed across its struggling European operations.
In a statement, a Ford spokesman confirmed the move, saying: "Ford is introducing a voluntary separation programme for hourly and salaried employees at its Bridgend Engine Plant in South Wales as part of its ongoing actions to create a sustainably profitable business in Europe.
The decision is not believed to be related to Britain leaving the European Union.
