Re Trowbridge Factory
Avon Rubber PLC
6 December 2001
Avon Rubber p.l.c.
Avon Automotive Hose, Trowbridge, is a subsidiary of Avon
Rubber p.l.c. and produces a variety of rubber hoses for
the automotive industry.
During the last few years, automotive manufacturers have
been relentless in their push to reduce the cost of
components. The outcome has been a major shift of the
supply base to lower labour cost economies. The
continued strength of the Pound against the Euro, has
further eroded the competitiveness of UK based automotive
component manufacturing.
The Board of Avon Rubber p.l.c. has carefully reviewed
options for its UK manufacturing base and has concluded
that it is unlikely to renew the lease on the Trowbridge
factory in 2003. This decision is likely to lead to the
closure of the automotive hose operations at Trowbridge
and the transfer of production to other Avon factories in
mainland Europe.
There are currently 273 employees at the Trowbridge plant
and a further 12 employees at the distribution depot in
Bowerhill, Melksham, who could be affected by this
decision. A 90-day consultation period has begun which
will end on 5th March 2002. It may be possible for some
of the people from the Trowbridge factory to be relocated
into other Avon factories in Wiltshire, subject to the
availability of suitable vacancies.
The Trowbridge plant was opened in 1978 to accommodate
growing demand for automotive hoses. At the time of its
construction, it was the most modern facility of its kind
in Western Europe. Today it manufactures reinforced
radiator and heater hose systems, fuel vapour hose and
engine breather hose for many of the major car
manufacturers including Landrover, MG Rover and Ford.
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