Around 100 jobs lost as Falkirk concrete firm closes for good

Unite the union had been fighting a campaign to try and stop the firm taking the action to close the site.

The workforce – thought to be 95 people – had been furloughed and had been engaging in a consultation on redundancies and the future of the site which came to an end last Friday.

A Marshalls spokesperson said: “Following consultation, we have been unable to find a viable option to keep the Falkirk site operational and therefore it will sadly remain closed.

“Like many other companies in the UK, Marshalls has felt the impact of COVID‐19. As a result of the pandemic, we are seeing a reduction in demand for our products.

“This lower level of demand is expected to continue into 2020 and 2021, with volumes continuing to be much lower when compared to previous years. This has been a hard decision for Marshalls, and not a decision we had expected to make.

“Our priority has been to support our colleagues through the consultation process and beyond. We have provided a comprehensive range of support services for all affected employees, which includes access to counselling for mental and financial well-being, partnerships with relevant government bodies to access support, and job finding support and expertise which is available until September 2020.

“While the consultation has been ongoing, Marshalls has paid colleagues at impacted sites 100 per cent of their normal salary. We have not claimed any funds from the CJRS for these individuals even though they were technically furloughed.

“Our aim throughout the pandemic has been to protect the sustainability of Marshalls, while meeting customer and shareholder demands, in addition to protecting the health and safety of our people.

“We have always taken what we believe to be the right course of action.”

Unite called the decision to close the site and axe the jobs “needless and premature”.

Last month, Scott Foley, Unite industrial officer, said: “The decision by Marshalls to announce 95 redundancies will have a major impact on the local economy including the supply chain.

“Despite stating publicly their concerns over the financial impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the company, the directors have still found the time to award themselves inflated bonuses and enhanced remuneration packages.

Marshalls PLC, which employs 2000 people throughout the UK, is a leading manufacturer of innovative hard landscaping products and operates quarries and manufacturing sites throughout the UK.