VEKA considering Burnley job cuts

Burnley-based uPVC window system manufacturer VEKA has begun a consultation process which could result in job losses.

The company closed its factory in March in accordance with social distancing guidelines, placing most of its staff on furlough.

It has been gradually reopening its operations since mid-May, but management now believes that it is unlikely that demand will return to pre-lockdown levels soon enough.

VEKA, which employs 400 in Burnley, will now begin to establish an employee-elected committee responsible for taking group redundancy consultations.

Dave Jones, the company's managing director, said: "VEKA plc has taken a number of actions over the past months to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 from arranging financial support to putting all non-essential spend on indefinite hold.

"However, upon our return on the 11th May and speaking with our customer base over recent weeks, we have identified some significant customer losses – one of whom went into administration just last week which will have a substantial impact on our business.

“Having taken all available options to us to ensure our business remains sustainable, we are now forced to take more prudent approach to all company expenditure and to review the resource requirements in light of this predicted drop in sales. That said, at this stage we cannot confirm exact numbers of potential redundancies, however we will continue to monitor situation on a daily basis throughout the process."

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