A foundry in the Black Country which axed 35 jobs and put staff on a three-day week to cope with a slump in orders will return to five days production from next week after attracting £3 million in deals.

But bosses at Chamberlin & Hill in Walsall, which manufactures castings, today said there were no immediate plans to reinstate lost jobs.

The factory, based in Chuckery Road, Chuckery, has told its shop floor workers the good news of the increase in production to a five-day week from Monday morning.

Chamberlin & Hill community liaison officer David Morgan said: “The past year has been a complete state of flux for the industry, but our workforce has remained exceptionally loyal.

“We went down to a three days and introduced some other measures. There has been an improvement to our position and we are hoping this will continue.

Companies

“We have attracted £3 million in new orders for next year with the new turbo chargers which are being developed. We have been involved with some big name companies about this new breed of turbo chargers.

“The shop floor staff were very pleased when it was announced to them earlier this week. It was well deserved and has happen in time for Christmas.”

The company said the new arrangements would need to take effect before any decision is made about new jobs.

Twelve months ago the company announced job cuts after a sharp deterioration in its markets supplying automotive groups such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz as they in turn slashed car production.

As a result of the global slowdown 35 jobs were shed and a three-day week was introduced.

The move to cut back production followed a rising sales and profits in the first half of 2008 which it allowed to recover the soaring cost of its raw materials, as well as higher energy costs.

However, by that autumn Chamberlin started to feel the effects of the downturn.

Chamberlin also owns two engineering businesses, Fred Duncombe in Cannock and Petrel in Birmingham.

By Deborah Stewart