Workers return to five day week

WORKERS at manufacturing giant Siemens have returned to a five-day week after more than 100 people lost their jobs.

The Congleton company commenced a four-day working week in March as part of a continued production downturn, but has now resumed its operations full-time.

About 340 people are currently employed at the Varey Road plant, which produces drive mechanisms for industrial machinery.

Managers at Siemens axed 49 temporary positions and up to 70 permanent jobs earlier this year, blaming the economic downturn and a reduction in demand.

But bosses say the size of the company's workforce reflect its order book and are hopeful for the future.

Finbarr Dowling, managing director, said the redundancy process had been a "painful experience".

He said: "Our business saw a large drop in volume at the turn of the year. We had to make some very difficult decisions regarding short-time working and there were also some redundancies.

"The purpose of that was to get the factory to a size which could deal with the new volumes. And that's what we have achieved.

"Our overriding thoughts are still with our colleagues who had to be made redundant.

"The site has been at Congleton for more than 30 years, and many people have worked here for all or a large part of that time.

"There is still a feeling of loss that those guys are no longer with us.

"On the other hand, everyone is now back from four days to a five-day week, which is great news because they had been sacrificing around 20 per cent of their pay.

"The factory is busy, but with fewer people – it's important we don't forget that."

Mr Dowling said Siemens now hoped to build on its reputation.

He added: "The Congleton factory already has a fantastic reputation as being a product manufacturer of the highest order.

"The job losses had nothing to do with the quality of what is produced but was purely to do with economic demand.

"We are going to prepare ourselves for an upturn in the future, and build on what has made Congleton successful in the past – its workers, quality products, and its competence in the global market.

"The company has now entered a new phase and we hope when the economic upturn comes we'll be in a position to take advantage and make a full recovery."

Peter Whiers, chief executive of the Congleton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, said he was delighted staff at Siemens were back to a full working week.

He said: "Obviously it's good news for the town. It can only be good for staff, and hopefully before too long the company can start recruiting. again locally."