Hundreds of workers will lose their jobs

Nov 19 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Elland-based Heywood Williams firm is to lose 300 jobs from its worldwide workforce.

The shock news from the building materials supplier came today, as bosses confirmed that sales fell 17% in the four months to October.

The group blamed a slowdown in the house- building market in the UK, Europe and North America for the slump.

The jobs cuts – about a fifth of the workforce – are expected to come in by the end of the year.

The company report showed that Heywood Williams, which supplies products ranging from windows to door handles, has lost a quarter of its value.

The company cut 90 jobs in its North American workforce last year.