Seventeen workers face losing their jobs at a Black Country brick factory because of falling demand. Ibstock Brick is to consult its 48 employees over redundancies.

It is scaling down its operation at Tansey Green Road, Pensnett.

One of the kilns at the factory is being closed and another mothballed to reduce costs as the building trade continues to suffer in the recession.

However bosses claim “normal service” will remain for customers.

Managing director Wayne Sheppard confirmed the changes in a statement. He said: “Due to the ongoing slowdown in the demand for bricks and the need to balance sales and production capacity whilst maintaining optimum efficiency, Ibstock has announced the proposed closure of Stourbridge’s Number Two Kiln, a reduction in the Specials Department and the mothballing of Kiln Number Three.

“Customers will continue to receive normal service from the Stourbridge factory as there are extensive stocks of Stourbridge product available and single kiln production capacity has been retained.”

Ibstock has 24 UK plants, employing 1,960 people and with a stock of around 900 million bricks.