50 more redundencies at Welsh Slate

Welsh//Slate have made a further 50 people redundant at both their Penryhn and Ffestiniog quarries.
The workforce was cut from 400 to 250 last year after Alan Smith took over as managing director after accounting irregularities led to the removal of the previous senior management at the business that was then owned by Alfred McAlpine.
Since then Alfred McAlpine have been taken over by Carillion and the slate quarries have been bought by Northern Irish businessman Kevin Lagan for £31million. At that time Alan Smith and Finance Director Nicki Oakes also became minor shareholders.
When Alan took over and made the initial redundancies he said: “I see my job as saving 250 jobs.”
The company are principal suppliers of traditional Welsh slate roofing and building products and continue to see themselves as guardians of the traditional building material and the crafts needed to process it.
But, says Alan Smith: “The global economic downturn has caused a slow down in the construction industry and the company must respond to this change in market conditions to protect the long-term future of Welsh Slate and its employees.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that the necessary reduction in staffing numbers can be achieved through a voluntary redundancy programme and offer whatever support and assistance we can to staff during this difficult period.”