Sharp manufacturing cuts 300 jobsChris DruceSharp Manufacturing Company (SMC), a division of Sharp Electronics, is cutting over 300 jobs at its plant near Wrexham.
The site currently manufactures microwave ovens, video recorders and DVD players for the European and UK markets, but has been hit by falling demand for some products.
Between April and October of this year the company will reduce staffing levels from the 834 employees presently at the site to around 520. The company said the majority of job losses would be among temporary staff, although 90 permanent staff would be made redundant as well.
"The company will continue its search for new product lines for the factory and make every effort to secure new manufacturing opportunities," said Michael Williams, executive director of SMC.
SMC blames growing price competition from imports from third-world manufacturing bases, increasing manufacturing costs in the UK, and difficulties in economically sourcing components, as the reasons behind the cuts.