A UNION yesterday warned of the possible closure of a North-East brick manufacturer with the loss of more than 50 jobs.
The Amicus union told The Northern Echo it had yesterday received notification of possible redundancies at Dyson Refractories, in West Hunwick, near Willington, County Durham.
Union spokesman Gerry Hunter said the company, which supplies bricks to the steel industry, was facing tough competition.
He said: "I have been told today of at least 50 redundancies at the site and I think that means it is about to be shut down. The market shares are dropping due to competition from abroad. Potential customers, like Corus, are buying from Chinese and European markets. Dyson Refractories goes back years and years in Hunwick and it will be a sad loss to the area.
"I am afraid that the workers will struggle to find new jobs in the refractory business, so will need a change of employment."
Dyson Refractories is the largest independent refractory brick manufacturer in the UK. No one was available for comment last night.
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