The owner of a tumble dryer factory has confirmed its closure with the loss of at least 142 jobs.
Appliances firm Beko Europe told staff last month that its Hotpoint UK factory in Yate, near Bristol, will close on December 31. The factory produces tumble dryers for the UK and Ireland markets.
The Hotpoint UK factory closure decision means the end of more than a century of manufacturing at the site on Station Road.
Beko believes tumble dryer appliances have become less popular with consumers in the UK and Ireland in recent years, as they are more interested in pursuing energy-efficient heat pump technologies.
A spokesperson from Beko Europe said all affected staff have been notified and that they are "grateful for their continued efforts".
In a statement from Beko, the company added: “We are continuing to support all employees and are grateful for their continued efforts and engagement throughout. We have also informed the site’s MP and local councillors of the news.
“Delivering the best products and services to our partners and customers remains our top priority and we will continue to provide transparent and ongoing updates to you and our stakeholders.”
Staff at the company had been warned of potential job losses when the company began its consultation on July.
In a statement a spokesperson from South Gloucestershire Council said it is "actively supporting the current workforce."
The council spokesperson said they are working with a Yate Development Worker who will provide employment coaching and support for employees as well as exploring opportunities to provide skills training to the workforce to support their future employment.
Less Demand for Tumble Dryers or Less Demand for Hotpoint Tumble Dryers?
Anyone not living under a rock since 2015 will know that the Hotpoint brand and its parent Whirlpool have rightly been tarnished in the last decade with many fires linked to Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda appliances from 2004 to 2015, including a Hotpoint fridge-freezer that was the initial cause of ignition in the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2014, which caused 72 deaths.
Although the latest press releases by Beko in respect of the Hotpoint UK factory closure make no mention of Whirlpool, it was only earlier this year that a merger between Beko and Whirlpools European businesses took place. Whirlpool retains 25% ownership of the newly merged European appliance business.
Consumer Champion Which? previously reported that since 2004 Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda dryers had been the cause of more than 750 fires, and yet despite this, the line of communication coming from Whirlpool was that it was a new and developing issue [when it broke in November 2015] and not something that has been developing for more than 10 years.
Despite Whirlpool being criticised from consumer groups, MP's and many many others over its actions over the recall of its defective products which predate the Grenfell Tower disaster; which one could argue may have perhaps been avoided if Whirlpool had been more forthcoming and proactive, Whirlpool have continually sought to distance themselves from the whole affair.
So the question we have is this.
Has the UK demand for tumble dryers really decreased that much?
Or is it the case that the UK demand for Hotpoint tumble dryers has decreased?
Given the lack of transparency in much of the past press surrounding Hotpoint products in the UK and Europe, one might be skeptical of their recent press release.
Other Whirlpool, Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda News
Fire Risk with Whirlpool, Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda Tumble Dryers / Whirlpool Finally Agrees Payout for Tower Block Fire Victims / MP's Blast Whirlpool over Tumble Dryer Fires Gagging Order / Whirlpool Sales Slump But No Mention from Whirlpool Why / Whirlpool Shares Dip & 100 Yr Old Sears Relationship Ends / Whirlpool's Reluctance An Obstacle to Preventing More Fire Deaths / Whirlpool Withdraw Replacement Scheme Despite 1m Defective Appliances Left / Full House of Commons Transcript over Whirlpool Fire Safety Debate / Whirpools Attitude to its Faculty Dryers Regrettable Say MPs
