Hundreds of jobs lost as Leicestershire foundry closes for the final time

The final pour of molten iron has now taken place at the works
-Credit: (Image: Saint-Gobain PAM)


Hundreds of jobs have been lost after a historic Leicestershire foundry marked its final day of iron production. The final ever batch of molten iron at the Saint-Gobain PAM Holwell Works brought to an end 140 years of manufacturing on site.

The final pour took place last Thursday (September 26) after the Melton site confirmed its closure earlier this year. In all, 161 jobs have been lost as the site relocates production to a sister site in Blénod, France.

Bosses had previously blamed the closure on both Covid-19 and Brexit, both of which had rendered the Leicestershire site "uncompetitive". Closure followed contulation with unions and employees after the move was first touted in March.

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Former employees were welcomed back to the site to retrace familiar foundry steps and share memories
Former employees were welcomed back to the site to retrace familiar foundry steps and share memories -Credit:Saint-Gobain PAM

The Holwell site had been manufacturing for 140 years with the final pour last week marking the end of an era for the community, where generations of families worked to produce ductile iron road ironwork for the UK's infrastructure. Bosses said the last ever batch was a a "moment of immense pride and sadness" for all involved.

The Holwell Works foundry had been at the forefront of manufacturing access covers, gully gratings and surface boxes that adorn the UK's paths, roads and highways. Since the closure was confirmed, Saint-Gobain PAM said it has been working to support affected employees.

It said it had partnered with Melton's Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service to "provide guidance on CV writing, job searching, and claiming benefits". The company said many employees have already secured skilled employment ready to start in October, thanks to the support provided.

A worker holds the last cast made at the Leicestershire based works
A worker holds the last cast made at the Leicestershire based works -Credit:Saint-Gobain PAM

Alan Gwilliam, UK managing director of Saint-Gobain PAM, said: "A number of employees will continue working on site in our finishing and assembly lines until the end of this year, helping us continue to meet our customers' needs. On behalf of everyone at Saint-Gobain PAM, I’d like to express my thanks and admiration to the Holwell team for the amazing job they have done under difficult circumstances."

Despite the closure, the company insists it will continue to support customers by transferring production to the sister site in France. This move, involving an €11m investment in Europe's largest electric furnace, is expected to slash carbon emissions by 50 per cent, aligning with the firm's net zero ambitions.

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