Jobs at risk at Doncaster factory as company confirms production line closure

Ardagh Glass, which was formerly known as Rockware Glass, has now confirmed that it will be closing two production lines in April due to a 'downturn in demand' from some of its main food customers.

A total of 384 people are employed at the glass bottle and jar manufacturing plant in Barnby Dun Road, Wheatley, but it has not yet been confirmed exactly how many jobs are at risk at the factory.

An Ardagh employee, who did not want to be named, told the Free Press that staff at the plant had been told that between 50 and 60 jobs were likely to be lost in April, but this has not yet been confirmed.

An Ardagh glass spokesman confirmed that the company’s other glass production plants in Barnsley, Knottingley in West Yorkshire and Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland will not be affected by this decision, however.

They said: “We regret having to make this decision, but in order to remain competitive and safeguard other jobs in a very challenging market place we have had to reduce our operating costs.

“Consultation regarding the impact on jobs is currently underway with union representatives. “

Rockware moved to a new state-of-the-art plant in Barnby Dun Road in 2001 which enabled it to store more than 75 million bottles and jars.

In 2006 Rockware became part of the Irish-based glass manufacturer Ardagh Group.