Firm to lose quarter of staff as costs are cut

Westwind Air Bearings, based on the Holton Heath Industrial Estate, told staff at a meeting yesterday there would be 75 redundancies this year.

Another 50 staff from Poole-based recruitment agency Smart will also lose their positions at Westwind during 2007.

It is understood that after a period of consultation, staff will start to lose jobs in March, then throughout the year.

A statement issued by managing director Steve Webb said the company was rationalising its product range and increasing the capability to manufacture in its Suzhou factory in China.

The statement said: "It is with considerable regret that I have to announce a major restructuring at Westwind Air Bearings.

"This move is to better prepare us for our highly competitive Far Eastern markets."

Mr Webb said the move was designed to both reduce costs and to position the company as a market leader in such a fast expanding market.

He continued: "In parallel with this transfer, a significant reorganisation of the Poole facility will take place to streamline manufacturing and support processes.

"During the year it is envisaged that around 75 jobs will be lost at the Poole site, and the restructuring will be completed towards the end of 2007."

However, Mr Webb stressed the Holton Heath factory would continue production for the foreseeable future.

Westwind, sold to motion and laser systems manufacturer GSI in 2003, owns a site in Japan and two each in the USA and China.

At the peak of the market in 2000, it was employing around 650 staff.

By late 2001, the Westwind workforce had been cut to just 300 after a wave of redundancies caused by the global downturn in the electronics industry.

The company is a world leader in the production of sophisticated air bearings, used at the heart of precision drills used to make tiny holes in circuit boards for electronic equipment such as DVD players.

The Department of Trade and Industry was due to receive notification of the job losses yesterday.