Newtown's largest employer to cut 65 jobs

Up to 65 jobs are to go at one of Newtown's largest employers.

Nidec Drives, previously known as Control Techniques, has announced a restructuring of the business. It follows an announcement at the beginning of the year when 98 jobs were lost.

The company was formed over 50 years ago and began with just a handful of staff in Newtown before growing to more than 630 people.

Earlier this year it said it had begun manufacturing in the US and Asia where it was closer to some customers.

It has a manufacturing facility on the Mochdre Industrial Estate and an R&D and HQ at The Gro along Pool Road.

A statement said: The proposed change is due to ongoing depressed global market conditions and the resulting challenging business environment, which is expected to extend beyond 2024 and into 2025.

"To provide a solid platform for growth when markets recover and right size costs to current and predicted market conditions, Nidec Drives is considering a proposal, subject to consultation with affected employees and employee representatives, to restructure staff levels at both the UK manufacturing and World Headquarters facilities based in Newtown.

"The proposed restructuring could lead to the loss of up to 65 jobs; but it is expected that there would be some opportunity for redeployment into other roles in the company. Nidec Drives currently employs 636 people at these facilities."

The statement added: "Nidec Drives is committed to being a key employer in this region, as well as a high-quality reliable partner to their customers both in the UK and globally, and any restructuring decision will be made with these priorities in mind.

"Employees affected by any restructuring decision would be offered a redundancy package including outplacement support services. Nidec Drives will work closely with their Employee Action Group and government at a local and national level to ensure provision of as much assistance and support as possible."