Blaze-hit factory will not be rebuilt
A plastics factory in Oldbury that was destroyed by a huge fire in a suspected arson attack will not be rebuilt, creating uncertainty for dozens of workers.
A rival firm has agreed to takeover Teknor Apex's UK operation after the devastating blaze at the Tat Bank Road factory in April, which at its height was tackled by 75 firefighters.
The building was completely gutted and much of the roof caved in. Now Teknor Apex's UK director Mark Clayton has said the factory will not be rebuilt.
Operations manager Roger Davies added: "I have not seen it in writing, but I believe it is the case."
The firm, which has its headquarters in America, appears to have decided to cut its losses over its only UK base, with various product brands, manufacturing assets and customer lists having been sold to Gloucestershire-based plastics firm Petlon Polymer, which had taken on much of Teknor's work since the fire.
It has also been confirmed that several of Teknor Apex's senior figures from the Oldbury plant will join Petlon, including Mr Clayton, but it is not clear what the future holds for the rest of the 50-strong workforce.
The news comes as bulldozers prepared to move in on the site, where engineering thermoplastics (ETPs) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) were produced.
Teknor Apex president William Murray said the company would continue to manufacture plastic compounds at its other European site in Belgium.
Mr Murray said: "While Teknor Apex is well positioned to supply nylon and TPEs in Europe and throughout the world, we determined that we could not serve some ETP accounts at a level of service that their business required.
"The accounts that we are relinquishing represent a small portion of our worldwide nylon business."
Oldbury councillor Sue Downing said the revelation was a devastating blow for the area.
"With Sandwell being one of the most deprived areas in the country, job losses in the borough is the last thing people in the area need," she said.
"We are trying to build manufacturing in Sandwell so we can ill afford companies closing."
The devastating inferno saw businesses evacuated and roads closed surrounding the site as thick black smoke billowed into the air and could be seen for miles around.
A criminal investigation was launched in the weeks following the fire after evidence was found suggesting the fire was started deliberately. Investigations are still ongoing.
Mr Davies, was based at the Tat Bank Road site.
