Chinese takeaway

10:19am Thursday 1st May 2008

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James Dyson is set to do his own version of a Chinese takeaway as he gets ready to move his testing division to the Far East.

Dyson broke the news to employees in Malmesbury this week that it is considering relocating the testing division to China.

Thirty jobs are under threat at the Tetbury Hill headquarters, which plays a crucial role behind the science and engineering of the vacuum cleaners.

The company's multi-millionaire founder Sir James Dyson came under fire in 2002 when he relocated the manufacturing side of the Malmesbury production to Malaysia.

Further jobs were cut in 2004 when part of the customer service department was axed.

The move has sparked fears among other employees in the research and development section, who believe they will all eventually lose their jobs to cheaper foreign labour.

An engineer at the Malmesbury base, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I feel so bitter I had to do something. I have worked really hard for them and they have kicked us in the teeth.

"A lot of my friends are in that department. That's the worst thing. It's losing the people you work with.

"They called them in on Monday and said that the department was no longer viable. They have all been given gardening leave until they decide what to do.

"Some have been offered the chance to work in China but that's hardly an easy relocation, especially if you have families.

"It is just so hypocritical especially with all the emphasis on British design and what with him building that engineering school in Bath."

A spokesman for Dyson said it was still just a proposal: "Malmesbury is our growing ideas and engineering base. Our engineers and scientists research new technologies and invent here.

"For the past five years production preparation and support has increasingly happened close to production in the Far East. This proposal reflects that model."

Chamber of Commerce chairman Alan Woodward said: "Obviously it's not good news for those involved but I suppose they know their market.

"If it's going to go into hundreds of people it will be a major concern. It makes you wonder if recession is biting in the UK now."

However the disgruntled employee added: "They have been mimicking our departments in Malaysia. A lot of the technicians here are worried because their jobs are probably going to go there ."