Smethwick manufacturers Flabeg Ltd will close in April next year, leaving 60 staff out of work, the company announced this afternoon.The factory in Crystal Drive, which makes car mirrors, is closing the plant as production heads to Europe.

Phil Carlington, a director, said: “The factory will stop making mirrors in April next year and will be closed by December 2009.

“The company is owned and managed by a German business which has recently taken over another company making it the biggest of its kind in the world.

“This means we now have six sites across Europe, when there is only enough production to fill five. The credit crunch created an even bigger downturn.

“Around 60 workers will be affected, although some may have the opportunity to transfer.”

Production will now be moved to France, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

One worker, who asked not to be named, said staff were stunned when they were told.

Earlier this week it was announced that 78 jobs will be lost in Smethwick where an MFI distribution centre is closing down.