A Black Country wheelbarrow manufacturer has shed nearly half of its workforce, blaming the credit crunch for a big downturn in trade.

Haemmerlin Ltd, the UK arm of the biggest manufacturer of wheelbarrows in the world, has shed 19 jobs, saying it was forced into making redundancies as it looks to reorganise.

The company, in Bescot Crescent, Bescot, Walsall has around 40 workers and makes wheelbarrows and warehouse trolleys.

Today managing director Owen Evans said it was a very difficult decision but one which had to be made in the current climate.

The French company took over Walsall wheelbarrow making firm Chillington Manufacturing, two years ago. It was based in Walsall Wood but moved to its current base in 2001.

Mr Evans said: “We took the decision to make 19 redundancies though three of those jobs are due to be reinstated. It wasn’t taken lightly.

“At the moment we are facing very difficult trading conditions with a downturn in the construction and retail market.”

Meanwhile world famous saddle maker Modern Saddlery (Walsall) Limited has gone into voluntary liquidation. The firm, in Leamore Lane, Bloxwich, had been trading since 1950.