HAWICK has been dealt a hammer blow today with the shock news that Pringle is set to cease manufacturing in the town with the loss of 80 jobs.
The firm's management met with union representatives this morning to inform them of the preliminayr indications of a review of their Hawick operation and of their intention to start formal consultation with workers regarding proposed redundancies. Th
e employees affected were also informed.
Pringle bosses have said that a number of other functions, including head office, finance and customer services, were not part of the review and would continue to be based locally, with the retention of around 30 jobs.
Douglas Fang, Pringle chief executive officer, said: "We have to consider ways to improve the performance of the business and closure of the manufacturing operation at the plant is, very regrettably, something we must consider. Any decision to close the operation is not one we would take lightly, but due to changing customer demands and the competitiveness of the industry, we have to consider this possibility.
"We are operating in an extremely competitive global market. We are determined to restore Pringle to its rightful position as a truly worldwide luxury fashion brand, but there are some hard decisions which may have to be taken for the long-term development of the brand."
Provost Zandra Elliot commented: "It's a very sad day for Hawick." While Councillor Stuart Marshall said he was "shell-shocked".
