Ref. 72741-153SWINDON'S manufacturing sector has been dealt another blow as a key employer announces further job losses.

BMW-owned Swindon Pressings Limited in Stratton have confirmed 400 jobs will be lost between now and next summer.

Bosses blame the move on a decline in outside contracts from car manufacturers such as MG Rover and Landrover.

The 1,500-strong work force at the Gipsy Lane plant were given the grim news yesterday.

Many of the jobs will go to the car's other plant in Cowley while others will be lost through voluntary redundancies including early retirement packages.

But Jim D'Avila, for the trade union Amicus, said he feared for the long-term future of the plant.

In January, the firm announced 300 redundancies, citing similar reasons. That was despite a promise made last October that there would be no mass job losses.

Now Mr D'Avila believes the viability of the plant could be called into question despite assurances by managing director Bob Bowlam that things are looking up.

"There is no doubt that this is a devastating blow," said Mr D'Avila.

"Originally we were told that staff numbers would not drop below 1,500. Now it's going to be 1,100."

Mr Bowlam fuelled concern by stating that he could not offer copper-bottomed guarantees that there would not be further losses.

"We see the future of this plant as secure. We are consolidating our operations," he said.

"Swindon Pressings Limited has seen a sharp drop in third party contracts and we have to take action to reflect that.

"While we always knew that third party contracts like the ones with MG, would come to an end. But the speed at which they have ended has surprised us."

Dennis Grant, of Swindon Chamber of Commerce said it was worrying. He said: "Some 1,800 jobs have been lost in Swindon across all sectors in the past two years. Most haven't been replaced."

Factfile

Swindon Pressings is the biggest manufacturing employer in Wiltshire

The factory in Stratton St Margaret opened in 1955, has an annual turnover of more than £200 million, and employs 1,500

Originally set up as Pressed Steel Fisher, the plant was taken over by Rover in the 1960s

Rover collapsed in 2000, but was rescued by BMW, which renamed it Swindon Pressings. It remains a subsidiary of the BMW group

Parts are produced for BMW Mini, MG, Rover and Land Rover

Since the demise of Rover, bosses have repeatedly assured staff that their jobs are safe

In October last year, managing director Bob Bolam denied rumours of mass job cuts, but warned the plant faced a rocky future

In January this year they announced 330 job cuts

Kevin Shoesmith