Jobs under threat as Fife manufacturing plant announces closure plan

The proposed closure will affect 75 long-service CoorsTek employees at the facility, which has been in the town for nearly 40 years, and many life-long residents of the Fife community who will be now involved in the consultation process.

But the manufacturer has said the eventual facility closure will not take place until the employee consultation process has been completed and that the approximative timing of the proposed closure will be during the first half of 2021.

In a statement from the firm, CoorsTek said it is committed to supporting employees during this time and is working closely with impacted employees to support any moves or transitions to other facilities, where there are openings and to provide resources for any employees that will be leaving the company.

The products manufactured in Glenrothes will transition to other CoorsTek facilities in Europe and the United States.

Bosses said the proposed closure is being driven by a number of factors including; global softening in key markets due to COVID-19; the potential impact of BREXIT; and a focus on optimizing the company’s existing facility footprint.

Andreas Schneider, executive vice president, Europe, said: “We are disappointed to announce the proposed closure of our oldest facility in Europe.

“The Glenrothes facility has been providing our customers with high-performance technical ceramics for nearly 40 years and the facility has played an important role in the CoorsTek expansion in Europe”.

The technical ceramics manufactured at the Glenrothes facility are used in a variety of applications that support the automotive, electronics, medical, and semi-conductor industries.

The automotive applications account for nearly 50 per cent of the goods manufactured at the facility.

These applications include thin and thick film substrates used in automotive LED lighting, engine circuitry, and ceramic components for temperature, proximity, and pressure sensing.

The Glenrothes team also plays a valuable role in the local Fife community and is an active participant in many local business initiatives Investors In Young People, Career Ready Mentoring, Developing Young Workforce and the Fife Council Job Contract scheme.

In addition, Mark Cameron, the plant manager for Glenrothes serves as chairman of Business Gateway Fife.

Mr Cameron said: “I’m extremely proud of what the Glenrothes facility has achieved since we started to operate as part of CoorsTek in 1981.

“I’m especially proud of the role our team played in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by providing our customers with essential parts used in respirators and in disposable thermometers.”

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