Trade union GMB has accused Ideal Standard of sending workers’ jobs “down the plughole” after it announced it was planning to cut 85 jobs in Hull.
The company, which began making bathrooms in the city in 1936, proposals to shift bath manufacturing out to an existing site in Egypt.
The move would see at the Hull factory in National Avenue.
GMB has now expressed fury at the plans, and labelled it as “another nail in the coffin for UK manufacturing.”
Dave Oglesby, GMB organiser, said: “The lack of investment in the site over recent years has had a major impact.
“This is another nail in the coffin of UK manufacturing and once again it’s the north that takes the brunt.
“Hull suffers generally in the job market and every job is precious to us. Other businesses – and the whole community will be effected by the company deciding to up sticks and move operation abroad.”
Ideal Standard said the decision to start the consultation process “was not taken lightly,” and added it was “not related to the quality of work or skilled people in Hull.”
The business has several household brands in its range, including Armitage Shanks.
It employs around 800 people across the UK, and said despite the planned manufacturing closure in Hull, Ideal Standard remained committed to the city.
Stephen Ewer, managing director UK & Ireland at Ideal Standard, said: “The decision to start this process was not taken lightly and is the result of a continuous evaluation of our global manufacturing footprint to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible.
“The proposal could impact 85 manufacturing roles and we have now entered a formal 30-day collective consultation period.
“We understand that this is difficult news for everyone involved and an unsettling time.
“This proposal is not related to the quality of work or the skilled people in our Hull manufacturing site and we will work with those affected to minimising the impact as much as possible.”
GMB said an officer had visited Ideal Standard’s site in Hull on Thursday, but believed the meeting was to discuss ongoing issues in the factory.
The company told staff today the Hull factory will shut down, but they will be expected to work through the wind-down into mid-November.
Mr Oglesby said: “Ideal Standard’s loyal staff has worked hard to help build the company up.
“Now Ideal Standard are happy to send their jobs down the plughole.”
Ideal Standard has its manufacturing operations in Hull in National Avenue.
The business operates in more than 20 countries around the world, with more than 11,000 employees.
The news however will come as a bitter blow for manufacturing staff in Hull.
