Jobs to go as UK's largest fibreglass factory shuts

Hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs after the owners of the UK's largest fibreglass factory announced the closure of the site.

Japanese firm Nippon Electric Glass is to shut the plant in Hindley Green, Wigan, despite months of rescue talks with the government and local leaders.

Josh Simons, Labour MP for Makerfield, said the firm had "repeatedly moved the goalposts" in discussions, while the GMB Union described the move as a "bitter betrayal" of the factory's 250-strong workforce.

Nippon said "various options" had been considered over the plant's future, but the firm had decided to place its UK operation into voluntary liquidation.

The announcement comes as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is in Japan on a week long "trade mission" to promote investment into the region.

Simons said Burnham is due to meet the chairman of Nippon, which began reviewing the future of the site in April, to discuss the closure.

Products like wind turbine blades and parts for the rail and aerospace industries are made at the factory using the lightweight material.

Gary Edwards, regional organiser for GMB which represents skilled workers at the factory, said: "Everyone involved worked tirelessly to try and secure the site's future.

"But for every solution we found, the company presented another problem. It became hard not to question how serious they were about doing a deal."

"I'm angry about that, I'm disappointed, bitterly, for the workers but that is what has kiboshed this deal."

Mr Edwards said the 250 staff due to lose their jobs had been a victim of a "global trend" towards protectionism caused by uncertainty over global supply chains.

"They're essentially spending more money than they were offered in some of these deals in order to close the plant," said Simons.

"The only way to explain that is because they want to reshore their supply chains in Japan, and that is not in the interests of my workers, it's not in the interests of Britain."

Simons said the closure would be "devastating" for workers at the site, some of who had worked there for decades.

He said he would fight to make sure those workers get "every bit of support they possible can" from the government and local authorities.

The factory had made a loss of £12m in the year ending December 2024, according to a notice published by Nippon.

The firm said it had decided to cease operation and enter voluntary liquidation to "quickly rebuild our composites business".

It said it plans to "rebuild its production system" to improve profitability.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.