JCB axes 165 more jobs

Digger giant JCB is axing another 165 jobs in its factories across Staffordshire, taking total job losses at the firm this year to 1,000.

Announcement of the latest round of redundancies follows a 30-day consultation with workers and unions.

The news follows 400 job cuts last month, prompted by the global economic downturn.

Sites affected by the latest job losses include the firm's cab systems division in Rugeley and its heavy products, attachments and services departments, all based in Uttoxeter.

Posts will also be lost at its earthmovers, Cecilly Mills and compact products sections, based in Cheadle.

A spokesman for JCB said consultations about the redundancies were continuing at its headquarters in Rocester.

The news is the latest body blow to Staffordshire's workforce and follows a series of job cuts across the region over the last few months due to the ongoing financial crisis.

Just last week, Stafford engineering firm Perkins Engines announced it was shedding office staff at its site in Tixall Road.

The company is making 150 redundancies at its Stafford, Peterborough and Manchester operations.

Temporary officer workers are to be made redundant, and voluntary redundancy will be offered to permanent office staff.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Unitec Ceramics Ltd, in Doxey Road, Doxey, will cease production on January 31 and is making all 34 employees at the site redundant.

The firm, formerly Universal Grinding and now part of the UCM Group, is moving its business to Germany due to rising costs in the UK.

Industrial abrasives manufacturer Saint Gobain Abrasives, based in Doxey, has also announced it is to cut 27 jobs as part of major reorganisation plans.

Another 45 jobs are under threat at automotive parts company Energy Exhausts, in Hixon, which has called in the administrators after being hit by rising material and transport costs.

But one of Stafford's biggest employers, AREVA T&D, is bucking the trend and has announced plans to recruit 400 more staff over the next four years.