Two South Ayrshire surgical products wholesaler sites will close next year – putting 75 hard-working staff out of a job.
Guardian Surgical facilities in Girvan and Ayr will close their doors in 2022 with 75 jobs lost over the next four months.
The firm – who produce single-use surgical drapes, gowns and tray wraps – announced this week that an internal process was underway as the business grappled with its future.
Now a spokesperson for the company has confirmed that an ‘extremely tough decision’ was made due to a loss of key customers, 'supply-chain obstacles and a general reduction in routine surgical procedures’.
The Girvan site, at Grangestone Industrial Estate on Ladywell Avenue, will see 71 roles axed while four jobs are to go at the warehouse at Ayr's Heathfield Industrial Estate site on Whitfield Drive.
Girvan councillor Alec Clark said the news was “a real economic blow”.
He said: “It’s not just people’s jobs, it’s a whole skill base you’re losing.
“What I can’t understand is this is a profitable factory with a skilled workforce, providing quality medical items such as PPE, gowns and masks.
“To me, it’s like equating it to the McVitie's factory in Glasgow when the Turkish owners closed it down, even though it was a profitable factory and had its roots in Scotland.
“I think we’re in a situation here where this is where you’re left to the dangers of having an external ownership and unfortunately that’s the position we’re in.”
Guardian Surgical experienced troubles back in April 2016 when staff received an internal memo revealing plans to cut costs by moving operations to China.
However, after a lengthy consultation period, the firm announced in March 2017 the jobs had been saved.
Cllr Clark said South Ayrshire Council’s economy and regeneration team “are working in the background” and will be tying in with Scottish Enterprise, while he has also raised the issue with Elena Whitham MSP’s office.
He said: “There was a joint approach before when there was some danger; so that has to be looked at again.
“I think we need the direct support of the relevant minister in the Scottish Government here.
“We’ve been in touch with all the relevant agencies to make sure that we look at any alternative.
“Is there an alternative to keep on production here under a different auspices? Is there a tie-in with someone else? Is there a skillset that can be tied into another industry – whatever it is that can retain the workforce, the skills. and the asset of the factory.
“We do not want to let a skilled workforce get thrown by the wayside. We have an asset here and that asset has to be nurtured and developed, and hopefully held on to.
“It’s a real economic blow if that’s lost, not just to Girvan but the whole area.”
A spokesperson for Rocialle Healthcare said: “Following a six-week consultation period, we have today announced, with a very heavy heart, that our two Scotland sites (responsible for Guardian Surgical product) will be closing in 2022.
“This extremely tough decision has been taken due to the site experiencing an ongoing downturn in work and the loss of key customers on which the business relied upon to make the running of the site commercially viable.
“With supply-chain obstacles and a general reduction in routine surgical procedures there has been a significant impact on our order in-take and forecasting models.
“As a result, we unfortunately confirm the loss of exactly 75 jobs over the next four months.
“This is a very upsetting time for a group of long-serving, loyal and committed staff members and we will continue to do all that we possibly can to provide support and assistance as we move through this difficult transition.”
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