Weir has revealed plans to “optimise capacity” across its Minerals Division’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, putting its manufacturing site in Todmorden at risk of closure. The company has initiated a consultation with employees on the proposal.
The business noted that a recent review of the Minerals Division EMEA region has highlighted significant overcapacity, particularly at the Todmorden plant. This issue is compounded by limited current demand and modest projected growth in the UK and European domestic markets traditionally served by the facility.
Weir added that the Minerals Division’s key growth markets within EMEA for mining future facing commodities such as copper are mostly located in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The proposal includes plans to invest in a new engineering, technology, and sales & service centre nearby. This new facility will consolidate the operations of the Division’s existing Rochdale service centre, with the unaffected roles from Todmorden, on a new modern site.
If implemented, the proposal would result in the closure of the Todmorden plant by the end of 2025 with production being relocated to other facilities in the EMEA region, including to the Division’s South African foundries in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.
None of Weir’s other UK operations are impacted by the proposal.
