A TOP-LEVEL review into a Huddersfield engineering firm increased job loss fears today.
News of the review into the future of the Weir Group's factory in Birkby raised worries over jobs.
Directors at Glasgow-based Weir have launched a "strategic review" that will look at all options for its valve factory at Birkby.
The move follows a disappointing performance by Weir's UK valve business in the group's half-year results to last autumn.
About 350 people work at the former Hopkinsons Valves company, which is now called Weir Valves and Controls.
There is also speculation that the business may move from its Britannia Works site on Wheathouse Road.
There are also fears that jobs could be lost.
A Weir spokeswoman confirmed that the business was under review, but said no decisions had yet been made.
She added: "There are a number of options open to the company as part of the review.
"We have not made any decisions.
"The site at Birkby is under-used and has been for some years.
"It is a big site to manage," said the spokeswoman.
"Any proposals that arise from the review will be communicated to the workforce," she added
The spokeswoman said the review was likely to be concluded before Weir unveils results for the second half of 2004 in March.
Last October, Weir said the valves and controls business had performed "below expectations".
This was due to problems with US suppliers and higher- than-expected costs.
Group pre-tax profits totalled £24.6m for the first half of 2004, on sales of £392m.
The Birkby factory makes a wide range of valves for customers in the oil, gas, petrochemical and power generation industries.
The business was founded in 1843 by Joseph Hopkinson
His first engineering premises were in East Parade, Huddersfield
As the firm expanded, Hopkinsons moved to Lockwood, then to Leeds Road and later to Viaduct Street
The Britannia Works site at Birkby was opened in 1904 and has been extended several times
In 1949, the site employed more than 2,000 people. In 1999, the number was down to about 850
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