12/07/04 - High level help for job-loss firm

A high level task force drawn together by Cumbria County Council is working to minimise the effects of job losses announced by Key Safety Systems UK Ltd, of Denton Holme, who manufacture seat belts for the automobile industry. The company has announced 151 phased redundancies among production operators, to take effect between December this year and September 2005.    

The task force has met senior management of Key Safety Systems to gain a better understanding of the situation and discuss what help could be offered to the workforce. The meeting was chaired by County Councillor Lawson Short, Cumbria County Council portfolio holder for economic development. The meeting included Carlisle MP Eric Martlew, representatives from Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Councillors and representatives from Cumbria Inward Investment Agency, North West Development Agency and Job Centre Plus.   

Key Safety Systems, formerly Breed and before that Kangol, is moving production to Romania. The move still leaves 90 highly-skilled operations and engineering -- including research and development -- employees at Denton Holme.   

County Councillor Lawson Short said afterwards:   

"We have accepted that the 151 production jobs cannot be retained in Carlisle. We were impressed with the terms of the redundancies and the responsible attitude of the company in phasing the redundancies in order to help redeployment of employees.   

Officers from the high level task force will be meeting representatives of the company again to discuss ways in which we can help the workforce seek new employment. The company and its partners in the task force will be talking to other employers in Carlisle who we know are looking for reliable and skilled employees. We were also impressed by the company's commitment to retaining the specialist customer accounts and engineering capacity at Carlisle."   

Isaac Wharton, Key Safety Systems' European president for safety restraint systems, said:    

"Key Safety Systems values the skills and experience of the operations and engineering teams and we are looking at ways to secure their future at Denton Holme." 

Councillor Chris Southward, who represents Denton Holme on Cumbria County Council and is a member of the task force, said:   

"I was pleased with the responsible manner in which Key Safety Systems is dealing with the redundancies and is looking to retain a manufacturing business in Denton Holme."   

Councillor Marilyn Bowman, portfolio holder for economic prosperity for Carlisle City Council, said:   

"I am saddened to hear of the proposed job losses at Key Safety Systems and the move of production to Romania.  The city council will work with the company and other agencies to help the workforce find new employment.  The council is relieved that some production and the engineering operations are remaining in Carlisle because of the high-quality employment they provide.  The council will assist where it can to help the company maintain a strong presence in Carlisle and to continue the tradition of high-quality manufacturing in the city."