JOB losses are on the cards at another leading engineering firm in Huddersfield.

Turbocharger firm Cummins Turbo Technologies said it is seeking volunteers for redundancy as it seeks out ways to make savings of almost £1m.

The shock news comes just days after one of Huddersfield’s other famous engineering companies, David Brown Gear Systems, announced 75 job losses at its Park Works site in Lockwood.

Cummins Turbo Technologies, which last week hosted a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, is in talks with union leaders over ways to cut costs at the Turnbridge site.

An announcement last night said that managers and unions had agreed to start the process of seeking volunteers for redundancy company-wide among grades from shop floor to management level.

The firm said it could not put a figure on how many jobs may go and said other cost-saving measures were likely to be considered as consultations with unions continue into next week.

The company, which employs 1,000 people at its St Andrew’s Road site, said that whatever the outcome of the talks, the firm’s flagship research and development arm will not be affected.

In a statement, a company spokesman said: “The continuing economic uncertainty affecting global markets has resulted in taking actions to reduce costs across the globe.

“As a result, the Cummins Turbo Technologies site in Huddersfield has entered into consultation with union leadership to determine the best manner to reduce costs.

“We are working hard to minimise the effect on our employees and safeguard as many jobs as possible. Roles in research and development will not be affected.”

Mr Clegg visited the Turnbridge site on Thursday last week to see how Cummins Turbo Technologies is using £1.5m in Regional Growth Fund money to help develop a Holset-branded turbo system for medium and heavy duty truck engines.

The new system is designed to recycle waste heat energy produced by the engine – to improve fuel efficiency and significantly lower CO2 emissions.

The programme, which has reached the stage of prototypes being built, has created nine new jobs and helped to safeguard another 60 at the St Andrew’s Road site.

David Brown Gear Systems has already announced that 75 jobs are to go.

The firm said the job cuts – representing about a sixth of its 450-strong workforce – were necessary as part of a major restructuring to “build a sustainable and efficient business and strengthen its long-term presence in the UK.”

David Brown, which plans to move part of its workforce to a new purpose-built complex at Mirfield, is striving to reduce its dependence on defence sector contracts and develop new technologies for emerging industries such as wind and tidal power.